The Kogi Success Story in Colombia, with Google

Traditional rainforest healer and Kogi Shaman Mamo Pedro Juan and Kogi political leader Santos Sana comes to speak at Google from Colombia. The Kogi Indians of northern Colombia have been called “The Dalai Lamas of South America” because of their wisdom, their pacifism and their unequalled respect for tradition. Living on or near the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, their traditional lands range from the snow fields atop the mountain down to the coral reefs of the Caribbean, meaning that they are one of the few indigenous cultures in the Americas managing highland, lowland and marine ecosystems. In fact, it was the Kogi who, in calling attention to melting glaciers over twenty years ago, served as some of the first harbingers of climate change.

Now the Kogis have joined forces with the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) and the government of Colombia to protect and manage their sacred sites, protect their culture and resist climate change. This talk, presented by the Kogi’s extremely eloquent political leader and one of their Paramount Shamans, will share details of their inspiring progress to date, their uniquely intertwined vision of conservation and spirituality, and the special significance of the lands and reefs that they seek to permanently protect.

Additional information at Mongabay: http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0528-co…

The photos of the Kogi were taken by Richie Rey, Liliana Madrigal, and Brian Hettler.