Chadiz was born surrounded by the lush forests and vegetation of Colombia’s Pacific region. From a young age, Chadiz was aware of her identity within her Indigenous community. After a journey of personal recognition and acceptance within her community, she decided to transition to affirm her identity as the woman she always knew she was. A member of the Emberá Eyabidá community, Chadiz has partnered with ProAves Colombia and is working to become a conservation leader in the region and reduce the stigma around LGBTQIA2S+ people. At 27 years old, Chadiz understands the importance of spreading love and respect for life across the globe, as well as caring for and protecting our planet’s biodiversity to ensure the survival of all living beings. Her conservation journey continues as she advances her training as a public health technician, having already earned her high school diploma. The support, love, and acceptance of her family, especially her mother and siblings, have been key to her personal and professional growth.
This International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we honored Chadiz with a beautiful reel celebrating Chadiz for her leadership in her community and as an inspiration to all women.
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Chadiz’s Speech at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States
Chadiz not only is a leader in her community, but is a trailblazer on the international stage. On August 9th in honor of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Chadiz delivered a powerful and moving speech at the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS). Chadiz tells the story of how she became, in her own words, the “first Indigenous trans woman educator and guardian of nature, responsible for sharing the message of caring for and protecting our country’s biodiversity”.
Click here to watch her inspiring speech.
“My story begins in the Urada Jiguamiandó Indigenous Reserve, located in the municipality of Carmen del Darién in the Chocó department. I am an active member of the diverse LGBTQ+ communities. From a young age, I was aware of my place within the community I belong to. After a journey of self-recognition and acceptance, I decided to transition into the person I wanted to be and present myself to my family, my community, and the world as a trans woman, a leader, and an advocate for many others who still remain silent, both within and outside Indigenous communities.
The process was not easy and was filled with obstacles. I was often discriminated against, excluded, mistreated by the community, and even persecuted by armed groups active in the area amidst the country’s internal conflict. However, these challenges did not stop me from continuing my leadership, which is grounded in the legal rights of diverse populations to play a prominent role in societal transformation processes.
I found my calling in working with my community and the environment, where, despite the surprises brought by my transition, they embraced the differential approach within our Indigenous reserve’s dynamics. We achieved this through discussions, training, workshops, and meetings focused on public health and the rights of diverse populations.
My connection with the environment and my passion for teaching and spreading the message of nature conservation led me to ProAves Colombia. Within this organization, I was able to develop and enhance my skills in teaching and pedagogy after receiving training in education and environmental awareness. This is how I became the first Indigenous trans woman educator and guardian of nature, responsible for sharing the message of caring for and protecting our country’s biodiversity in the Belén de Bajirá area, within the Urabá subregion and the Atrato River basin. I have engaged with schools and villages in the seven communities in this Pacific region, sparking all kinds of interest, as I share knowledge and understanding related to cultural and biological diversity, traditional knowledge, conservation practices, and the use and management of biological resources among Indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and local communities.
Throughout this journey, the support, love, and acceptance of my family, especially my mother and siblings, have been crucial. They have been the driving force behind my personal and professional growth.
Together for diversity and environmental protection!”
The Colombian OEA delegation extended their gratitude especially to Ms. Domicó Sinigüi, thanking her for her participation and presentation during the morning session. They expressed their sincere thanks to the panelists for their valuable reflections and messages to the Permanent Council in honor of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. In particular, they wanted to recognize Ms. Domicó Sinigüi, whose “impactful life story illustrates how, through her diversity and ancestral knowledge, she protects the planet’s biodiversity and fights for nature conservation”.
We are honored to partner with Chadiz as an environmental educator and forest guard in Colombia’s Pacific Region. Chadiz uses her skills as an environmental educator to educate local communities, particularly on two threatened species, the Cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus, CR) and Baudo oropendola (Psarocolius cassini, VU). There are nine Indigenous communities in this area, and she serves not only as a conservation leader in her community but also as a conservation ambassador to other communities, hosting environmental education and species monitoring workshops.
“Nature is diverse and conservation is inclusive”
– Chadiz Valentina
