We spoke with Dayana Blanco-Quiroga, one of the recipients of the 2024 Incomindios UN Youth Scholarship, about her experience at UNPFII 2024, how it facilitated the outstanding work she is doing with the Uru Uru Team in Bolivia, and recommendations for those looking to apply for the 2025 scholarship.
Dayana’s Climate Activism
Since 2019, Dayana has been working with her Aymara community in Bolivia to advocate and implement solutions for the restoration of the Uru Uru Lake. Once a thriving ecosystem that supported many plants and animals, the lake has been heavily polluted by nearby industry and affected by climate change. In light of this, Dayana joined together with other young people to bring about change and restore her community’s health and wellbeing, the health of the wider ecosystem, and restore the community’s harmony with Mother Earth.
With a guiding philosophy of ‘ayni’, which you can read more about in an interview with Dayana from earlier this year, the Uru Uru Team have been using their traditional ecological knowledge to restore the lake through the use of totoras. Dayana’s ancestors used these plants like a natural filter, so the team harnessed this knowledge to implement the lake clean-up project. Young totoras plants, called tepes, were installed in the lake on floating rafts built from recycled materials. After 2 months of the first 600 totoras being the lake, the team realised they were set to succeed: the plants turned green, showing they were surviving in the lake. Dayana said this made her so happy; the community effort paid off and expanded from there, with more totoras and floating rafts.
Young totoras, otherwise called “tepes,” planted into the polluted waters of the Uru Uru Lake. They are tinged with dark colours due to the acid waters coming from mining activities. (Blanco-Quiroga, 2023)
The restoration project grew and gained support from UNICEF, who tested the waters for heavy metals and other pollutants. Their test results showed that the totoras had cleaned the lake by 30%, leaving the community feeling proud and motivated to keep defending their lands. Alongside these incredible efforts, the community has started a community garden to grow the fruits and vegetables they used to grow on their lands before the pollution, they were awarded the UN Development Programme’s Equator Prize in 2023, and they are now looking to expand their initiatives to create the first research laboratory in the Andean region, to see how Native plants can be used for global climate and environmental justice initiatives.
UNPFII 2024
Alongside the community-led projects of restoring the lake with their traditional ecological knowledge, the Uru Uru Team have been calling on the Bolivian government to adhere to Free, Prior and Informed Consent regarding development near their community. While the available legal avenues in the country have remained ineffective, Dayana said at UNPFII she had the ability to speak with decision makers from her country, providing another arena to advocate for their rights and hold the government to account. This was one of the many important aspects of her time at UNPFII, alongside her the presentation of her prepared statement, invitation to participate in side events, and the ability to form connections with many organisations who are working on similar issues as Dayana and her community.
Dayana Blanco Quiroga (Aymara, Bolivia), Brenda Saloj (Maya Kaqchikel, Guatemala), Crystal Lewis (Squamish,Canada), Daanis Pelletier, Cassandra Spade (both Anishnaabe, Canada). L-R
One of the most important elements of UNPFII for Dayana was connecting with her “Indigenous sisters and brothers who come from different places, who are going through the same challenges”. Network and coalition building is the way forward to strengthen diverse Indigenous-led movements for environmental and climate justice, food sovereignty, and the adherence to Free, Prior and Informed Consent. The connections Dayana made at UNPFII have aided her community initiative through knowledge-sharing, advocacy through social media, and even fellowships she has been offered to continue her work in a wider forum.
Moreover, Dayana powerfully mentioned:
I think that is the experience where you as an Indigenous woman can empower your voice. I felt that I empowered my voice. I didn't feel intimidated to talk with powerful people. There were many decision makers… but also I recognize my power to be present in that forum, because we are fighting for our communities and Incomindios is recognising that… they are bringing us into those kind of mechanisms where we can connect with decision makers and organisations.
Dayana’s side event
UNPFII 2025
The Incomindios UN Youth Scholarship program is currently open for applications, offering the opportunity for young Indigenous activists from North, Central, or South America to present their work on environmental justice and Indigenous rights at UNPFII 2025. Scholarship applications are open now and will close on 5th December 2024
If you are an young Indigenous advocate fighting for protection of your community and environmental justice then this scholarship is for you. You can directly fill out an application form and apply here:
When we asked Dayana what advice she would give those thinking of applying, she said:
"I would encourage all Indigenous peoples to apply to this scholarship… [the] benefits are very transformative, and it helps you to empower yourself and feel very motivated with the work that you are doing in your community. I would encourage all people to not lose this kind of opportunity that can transform, support and strengthen the work that they are doing in the communities"
The 2025 Incomindios-Lippuner Scholarship for Indigenous students is also open until 1st December 2024; find out more information:
Interview and authored by Sophia Arnold 2024.
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