As a co-founder of Polluters Out, Gualinga leads a global coalition of passionate young activists who demand the removal of fossil fuels from Indigenous lands and advocate for stronger international policies.

Fighting for a community

The Kichwa Sarayaku community, residing along the Bobonaza River in the remote province of Pastaza, has long been under threat from destructive oil industries. In 2002, a subsidiary of Chevron, with the assistance of the Ecuadorian military, inflicted severe damage on the community’s sacred sites and biodiversity by detonating explosives in the forest.

However, Gualinga’s family and the Sarayaku community fought back. In 2012, they took the Ecuadorian government to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, successfully arguing that the community’s consent had not been sought before the destructive actions took place.

Empowering youth activism

Having grown up immersed in activism alongside her family, Gualinga found her voice as a spokesperson for the Sarayaku community. She began raising awareness among local Ecuadorian youth about the devastating impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities, such as forest fires, desertification, and the spread of diseases caused by floods and melting snowpacks.

Gualinga’s activism extended to the international stage, where she protested at the 2019 Climate Action Summit in New York City, holding a sign that read “Indigenous blood, not one more drop.” She also participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, denouncing the Ecuadorian government for granting territories to corporations responsible for climate change.

Polluters Out: A coalition for change

Together with like-minded environmentalists Isabella Fallahi and Ayisha Siddiqa, Gualinga founded Polluters Out to counter the influence of fossil fuel industries on governments and markets. The coalition of young activists, supported by adult allies and scientists, works to ensure that all governments reject sponsorship from major polluters and prioritise the protection of Indigenous lands.

Gualinga’s remarkable journey and advocacy have been recognised through various platforms, including the premiere of the documentary “Helena Sarayaku Manta” and features in prestigious publications.

In her work, Gualinga emphasises the importance of Indigenous leadership, women’s empowerment, and the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. Through these guiding principles, she believes that the Amazon and the entire planet can be saved from the destructive path we are currently on.

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To learn more about Gualinga’s inspiring life and activism, I highly recommend watching the documentary “Helena Sarayaku Manta” and exploring the articles in Vogue and Refinery29.