We warmly invite you to a free short film screening of ‘Constructing Autonomy: Stories of Indigenous Governance in Peru’ and Q&A during London Climate Week.

We will be joined by two Indigenous Wampís leaders from the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation who will share how their deep ancestral wisdom helps them to manage and protect their territory, culture and forests, despite the threats they face – to the benefit of their communities and us all.

Many indigenous peoples in the Americas are implementing their own governance systems. Among them are the Wampís who control and manage a large territory in northern Peru. In 2015 they declared the creation of the Autonomous Territorial Government of the Wampís Nation, as part of a long-term strategy to reclaim control, governance and management over their ancestral lands. ‘Constructing Autonomy: Stories of Indigenous Governance in Peru’ explores what autonomous Indigenous governments are, how they work, the challenges they face, and their visions for the future.

The Wampís’ highly intact forests are not only some of the biodiverse areas on the planet, but also some of the most threatened by mining, the oil industry, illegal logging, and the effects of climate change. Through their autonomous government, the Wampís - and neighbouring Awajún who also appear in the film - are confronting these threats, protecting their territories, representing their populations before the Peruvian state, and implementing projects for the benefit of their people.

In the Q&A we’ll hear from two inspiring Wampís leaders, Pamuk Teófilo Kukush Pati, the Pamuk or elected president, and Tsanim Evaristo Wajai Asamat, the Director of Justice about how they are confronting these threats, as well as have the opportunity to reflect on how our international solidarity can support their strategies. We’ll also have an opportunity to explore what the UK government should be doing to ensure the accountability of business and finance, including by introducing a corporate accountability law: a "Business, Human Rights and Environment Act" is being called for by the Corporate Justice Coalition and allies.

Joining the Q&A will be Mikey Watts, filmmaker and Latin America coordinator for the NGO LifeMosaic and Luise Schroter, the Senior Policy and Campaigns Officer at the Corporate Justice Coalition. The Q&A will be moderated by Tom Younger, Peru Programme Coordinator and Policy Advisor, Forest Peoples Programme.

This screening is held in conjunction with Peace Brigades International UK, Cine Brazil, The Royal Anthropological Institute and The Cinema Museum.

Screening: Constructing Autonomy: Stories of Indigenous Governance in Peru