PHOTOS: 1Book/Castro Visiting Professor elevates Indigenous voices

Born into the Waorani tribe of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, Nemonte Nenquimo emerged as a powerful force protecting the rainforest on behalf of Indigenous nations. She shared leadership insights with students, faculty, staff and community members last week at the Raíces, Resiliencia, Resistencia: Building Coalitions to Protect Mother Earth event as the 1 Book/1 Project/2 Transform and Richard T. and Virginia M. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professor.

Author Nenquimo and translator Mitch Anderson, authors of “We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People,” presented at a community panel conversation Tuesday at the Denver Botanic Gardens and keynote and book signing Wednesday at the Tivoli Turnhalle.

Speaker wearing a yellow headband and traditional earrings speaks into a microphone at a podium.

Nemonte Nenquimo speaks to the crowd at "Raíces, Resiliencia, Resistencia" at MSU Denver. Photo by Alyson McClaran

Audience members seated in a crowded event space clap while listening, some holding books in their laps.

Scenes from "Raíces, Resiliencia, Resistencia" at MSU Denver. Photo by Alyson McClaran

Speaker stands at a podium addressing an audience, with the crowd blurred in the foreground and a presentation screen behind her.

Nemonte Nenquimo speaks to the crowd at "Raíces, Resiliencia, Resistencia" at MSU Denver. Photo by Alyson McClaran

Three attendees sit in a crowded room smiling at the camera while holding copies of a book, with other audience members seated behind them.

Scenes from "Raíces, Resiliencia, Resistencia" at MSU Denver. Photo by Alyson McClaran

Audience members stand and applaud during an event, with one person in the center clapping while others around them watch and take photos.

Scenes from "Raíces, Resiliencia, Resistencia" at MSU Denver. Photo by Alyson McClaran

A large audience sits closely together in a hall, listening attentively, with several people in the front row holding books or notebooks.

Scenes from "Raíces, Resiliencia, Resistencia" at MSU Denver. Photo by Alyson McClaran

Portrait of a woman wearing a yellow headband, beaded earrings, and red face paint across her eyes, standing in front of a brick wall.

Nemonte Nenquimo is an Indigenous activist and author from the Waorani Nation of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Photo by Alyson McClaran

Learn more about the Castro Professorship and 1 Book/1 Project/2 Transform program.

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