Josefa Carino Tauli

Gonzaga University is committed to servant leadership and social justice. Josefa Carino Tauli, an indigenous youth from the Philippines, is passionate about environmental conservation and indigenous rights. Her family members have been activists and she is inspired by their resilience. Tauli recognizes the importance of biodiversity for indigenous peoples and advocates for their inclusion in decision-making. She is part of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and works on promoting biocultural diversity conservation. Tauli emphasizes the need for climate justice and intersectionality in environmental issues. Her work is inspiring and making a global impact. She embodies Gonzaga's values of solidarity and social justice. Gonzaga University has historically been an institution of servant leadership, meaning that as one body of students and faculty, we must be a people of hope and action, tending to those who are in need and are at the margins of society. The mission statement expresses a mature commitment to dignity of the human person, social justice, diversity, intercultural competence, global engagement, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, and care for the planet. Today, I will be presenting Josefa Carino Tauli, an Ibaloi-Kankeni Igarot indigenous youth who was born and raised in the mountainous regions of the Gordalera in the Philippines. Growing up surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity of her ancestral lands, Tauli developed a deep connection to nature and a profound sense of responsibility towards protecting it. From a young age, Tauli witnessed the environmental challenges facing her community, including but not limited to deforestation, land degradation, and the loss of traditional indigenous practices. These experiences sparked her passion for environmental conservation and indigenous rights advocacy. Tauli was inspired by the resilience and wisdom of her elders, who instilled in her a strong sense of cultural identity and a commitment to preserving indigenous knowledge and traditions. Tauli comes from a long line of women who have proven to be renowned environmental grassroots activists, human rights defenders, and martial law survivors. One of her family members, Joanna Carino, fought alongside the Gordalera people against the Chico River dams, which would have displaced approximately 100,000 Kalingas and Buntuks, other groups of indigenous people, and caused irreversible environmental damage. Joanna also stood up against the Sandalfield Resources Corporation, which threatened to log approximately 199,000 hectares of communal forest in the Gordalera region. However, her activism came at a great personal cost, as she was illegally detained, tortured, and imprisoned during martial law. Another family member, Jill Carino, currently serves as vice chairperson of the Gordalera Peoples Alliance. Josefa Carino Tauli recognizes the interconnectedness between environmental stewardship and indigenous heritage, understanding that the protection of biodiversity is essential for the survival and well-being of indigenous peoples. As Tauli became more involved in community organizing and youth empowerment initiatives, she realized the power of collective action in addressing environmental issues and advocating for change. She joined the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, GYBN, as a platform to amplify her voice and collaborate with like-minded young leaders from around the world. Driven by her experiences and values, Tauli dedicated herself to advancing biodiversity, conservation, sustainable development, and indigenous rights through her work with GYBN. She seized opportunities to participate in international conferences, policy forums, and grassroots campaigns, where she advocated for youth inclusion in decision-making processes and the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems and environmental governance. Throughout her journey, Tauli remained deeply rooted in her cultural heritage and committed to empowering indigenous youth to become leaders and stewards of their communities. Her life story serves as an inspiration to young people everywhere, demonstrating the transformative power of passion, activism, and solidarity in creating a more sustainable and just world for future generations. Today, she represents indigenous and local youth on the steering committee of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network at the official youth constituency to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD, and works as an honorary member of the ICCA, the International Congress and Convention Association. Her work primarily identifies and addresses how those that are most impacted by the land do not often have a seat at the table and remain most marginalized from the conversation that most directly impacts their livelihoods, ancestral homes, and culture. She is a graduate student utilizing her education to promote biocultural diversity conservation in her home region, the Cordillera Philippines. In alignment with the Gonzaga values of solidarity and social justice, she emphasizes how climate justice must recognize the voices of youth, the indigenous, women, and those with disabilities. Her line of work underlines the importance of intersectionality and how environmental justice must go hand in hand with human rights. To quote Josefa Carino Tauli directly, indigenous peoples embody the value of reciprocity with nature and each other, of knowing that we have the responsibility to sustain that which sustains us. This is something that everyone should learn from, and quickly, at this crucial window of opportunity, to safeguard a sustainable and just future for all. Only a human rights-based approach will address biodiversity loss, end quote. Josefa Carino Tauli's commitment to protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable development in the Cordillera region and beyond is truly inspiring. Her efforts to amplify the voices of indigenous youth and advocate for their inclusion in decision-making processes are making a significant impact, not only in their community, but also on a global scale. Her recognition of the interconnectedness between environmental stewardship and indigenous rights underscores the importance of holistic approaches to conservation and social justice. Her work within GYBN as a policy coordinator and a member of the steering committee demonstrates leadership and advocacy skills in shaping global biodiversity policies and fostering collaboration among youth leaders worldwide. I want to acknowledge the challenges she may have faced from navigating complex policy landscapes to confronting entrenched interests opposed to change. Despite these obstacles, her resilience and determination shine through, inspiring others to join her in the fight for a more sustainable and equitable future. Ultimately, for her compassion and advocacy work as both an activist and biologist, she thoroughly demonstrates the Gonzaga mission statement and values in regards to care for the planet, solidarity, social justice, dignity of the human person, and the common good.