Introducing our Deep Connections Fellows!

Daniel Maches

Country: Philippines

Daniel Maches or Kumafor is a young Indigenous leader from the Lias Tribe in the northern Philippines. Since high school, he has been advocating for the conservation of their forests and cultural heritage through publications and multi-media productions. He has also actively engaged with the youth to participate in the advocacy. In 2021, he started Barlig Rainforest Coffee Project to pilot sustainable agriculture in the community and develop sustainable livelihoods. It is his goal that through this project, more community members will be encouraged to plant crops sustainably considering Indigenous farming principles. Meanwhile, the project has also brought his community’s coffee to the mainstream limelight as the limited produce was showcased in national and international coffee exhibitions. In 2022, he started a Slow Food Community called Indigenous Youth Eco-Cultural Warriors of Mountain Province to promote Indigenous food preservation. At present, he is initiating projects to document and preserve the community’s heirloom produce and wild products with economic potential for preservation purposes. He has also called for stewardship of his community’s forests and actively contributed his insights to sustainability as a writer and columnist for leading national newspapers such as Manila Bulletin and Philippine Star. Likewise, he has championed his community’s cultural integrity in international events such as the Terra Madre 2022 in Turin, Italy, and the 2024 Slow Food Indigenous Youth Networks’ Training for Asia and the Pacific in Hualien, Taiwan. Today, he also leverages various social media platforms to amplify his advocacies and encourage local actions.

Emma Oliver

Country: Papua New Guinea

Emma Oliver a dedicated tutor at the Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment (PNG UNRE), where I teach Eco & Wildlife Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, and Working with local communities. My passion for environmental conservation extends beyond the classroom, I actively engage with local communities to promote sustainable practices and protect biodiversity. As an Indigenous leader and the founder of ENB Sea Keepers, I am committed to preserving marine ecosystems and cultural heritage in East New Britain Province. My work involves combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation techniques to restore coral reefs, establish marine protected areas, and empower youth through education and hands-on training program called the Green Community Based Entrepreneur Program. Driven by a deep connection to nature and a desire to create sustainable livelihoods for my community, I am focused on inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards while safeguarding the natural resources that are vital to the survival and prosperity of our people

As an Indigenous leader in my community, I want to leave a legacy of empowered, self-sustaining communities that are deeply connected to their cultural roots and committed to preserving their natural environment. Through my participation in One Young World, I hope to inspire a global movement that values traditional knowledge alongside modern innovation, fostering a future where Indigenous voices lead in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Growing up in a coastal village in Papua New Guinea, I witnessed the devastating impact of climate change and the unsustainable destructive practices of fishing using dynamite and poison rope on our coral reefs and marine life. Seeing our once-thriving ecosystems deteriorate and the livelihoods of my community threatened by these changes motivated me to take action. This personal experience ignited my passion for marine conservation and drives my commitment to empowering communities to protect our environment and preserve our cultural heritage for future generations.

Keaton Thomas-Sinclair

Country: Canada

Indigenous People: Chemamawin Cree Nation

Keaton grew up in Mosakahiken and Chemawawin, deeply connected to his Cree heritage. After graduating from Frontier Mosakahiken School in 2017, he dedicated himself to serving his community as a Human Resources Coordinator at Chemawawin Cree Nation, where he strives to create a safe and supportive environment for all.

Keaton is also an active member of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Manitoba First Nations Youth Council, where he champions youth empowerment and the preservation of Indigenous traditions. His leadership is driven by his commitment to addressing critical issues such as violence, substance abuse, and the need for stronger support systems for youth.

Beyond his professional work, Keaton is an avid hunter, fisherman, and traveler, embracing the land and traditions of his people. He enjoys engaging with elders to learn about his nation’s heritage and sharing that knowledge with younger generations.

Keaton’s passion lies in community building and inspiring the next generation to create positive change. He believes in the power of unity and resilience, and he is dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Title: (AMC) Manitoba First Nations Youth Council

Malakai Parom

Country: Papua New Guinea

I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry and a certificate in Tropical Ecology from the Nugini Binatang Research Institute in 2015, and have been working with Rainforest Habitat and Conservation organization in the areas of Entomology, Zoology, and Landscape for environmental beautification before I left to my Bachelor of Science in Forestry at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology Forestry Department, majoring my final year projects in seeds biology of plantation forest and natural forest pests and diseases infestation. The key responsibilities I was involved in included a scope of work at environmental assessment, biodiversity survey, species collections in traps, schools, community, and village awareness about the importance of biodiversity as a non-timber forest products, and supervision of production with use of available labor and resources. With those experiences, skills, and knowledge, I believe I am suitable for the position applied for, and can contribute meaningfully to the Organization’s aims, goals, and objectives. I am young, energetic, and flexible to work in any given working environment and can achieve targets and meet deadlines.

Moana Tepano

Country: Chile

Indigenous People: Rapa Nui

Moana Tepano Contesse is a young socio-environmental defensor from Rapa Nui Island and student of a Bachelor of Social Studies with major in Territory Planification and Sustainable Development

She is co-founder and current president of the youth organization Mo’a Mau o te Taure’a-re’a or Great Respect from young people to young people, which promotes various initiatives, such as workshops, coastal cleanups, discussions and summer schools for young people in order to revitalize the ancestral value of Mo’a or respect, towards different areas (personal, social, cultural and environmental) of our lives, with emphasis on mo’a towards nature, thus achieving Sustainability from a unique Rapa Nui cultural perspective.

Is also part of the recent Rapa Nui young student organization around the world called Haka Nonoga. He has participated in different meetings at the local, national and international level on climate change, environmental conservation, youth leadership and sustainability (LCOY, RCOY, COP24, COP27).

She has dedicated time to learn about her roots through wise masters of Rapa Nui, who have shared with her, for example the tākona practice (body painting) she has found a way to express and send a message to people about issues as important as the environmental protection and gender equality. All these expressed using Rapanui language.

Rayen Alarcón Lipin

Country: Chile

Indigenous People: Mapuche

I am the oldest of three siblings, my mother is Mapuche so raised us together with my father as Mapuche, with the traditions and worldview that she obtained in the community. My mother and father are beautiful people who have always tried to give us the best principles and supported us in our struggles and dreams.

From a very young age I have felt a commitment to the Mapuche people, my mother says that my grandfather Pedro Lipin Motro was a fighter for the territorial and human rights of our people; in turn my grandmother Graciela Millalén Huenchuñir always saw that education in both worlds would be mechanisms to achieve recognition and respect for our identity.  So I seek to influence, in all spaces, from a positive leadership, with firm principles and collective commitment, that is to say, with territorial reality. As a young person who has been able to access university education without losing my Mapuche relevance and identity, it is essential to give back and contribute continuously with the knowledge and tools acquired with my people, and other Indigenous Peoples.

I advise various Indigenous organizations in the different communes of the Metropolitan Region, mainly urban and also rural Mapuche communities, on issues of ILO Convention 169, restitution of Indigenous lands and waters, change of Mapuche surname, human rights of Indigenous Peoples at the international level.

I contributed as an Indigenous advisor in the process of the Constitutional Convention of Chile. In 2024 I received the “Leader of the Future” award from Universitas 21 in recognition of my contribution to global collaboration through active leadership in generating social change and promoting the education of others.

“We are the reflection of the struggles of our ancestors, the principles of our roots, the Mapuche people, are our guide, therefore everything that we learn we must share with our people.

Tiana Jakicevich

Country: Aotearoa (New Zealand)

Tiana Jakicevich is an interdisciplinary Indigenous, human rights land and oceans defender, from Aotearoa New Zealand. She is a descendant of Ngāti Kahungungu ki Te Wairoa, Whakatōhea, and Ngāi Tūhoe, three tribes on the east coast of the North Island.

Tiana grew up surrounded by the forests and oceans of her ancestors. She holds an intrinsic understanding that the solutions to the climate crisis are tied to the decolonization and restoration of Indigenous knowledge systems and relationships with people and place.

Tiana champions the protection of human rights and Indigenous Climate Justice within her communities in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and internationally with Indigenous communities across the globe and within various United Nations mechanisms. She is a co-founder of Pakiaka, an Indigenous Climate Justice think tank, that builds the capability and capacity of Indigenous Peoples to engage proactively rather than reactively in this realm.

Tiana is currently co-leading a project across the Pacific to explore the revitalization of Indigenous knowledge systems to mitigate and adapt to climate change. She also sits as member of the Pou Herenga (Māori advisory board) to the New Zealand Climate Change Commission.

Yodhikson Bang

Country: Indonesia

Member of Matulelang Tribe, Alor Island, Indonesia

My name is Yodhikson M. Bang (Dicky), and I am a member of the Matulelang Tribal group from Alor Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. I am the Operations Manager at Thresher Shark Indonesia (Yayasan Teman Laut Indonesia), a youth-led NGO focused on conserving endangered thresher sharks and supporting coastal communities. In my role, I lead field projects and build relationships with partners, including the government, indigenous communities, tourism actors, and the public. Currently, I lead and support several projects: improving marine resource conservation and empowering small-scale fisheries in Alor, integrating marine conservation curriculum into elementary schools, assisting former shark fishers and their wives in new livelihoods, and conducting extensive conservation outreach across Alor, Flores, and Banda regions.

Before joining Thresher Shark Indonesia, I was a Facilitator at Humanity Inclusion. I helped vulnerable community groups, such as women, girls, and people with disabilities, gain equal access to economic development. Additionally, I lead my church community, motivating youths to maximize their potential by minimizing plastic use and restoring mangrove areas for climate resilience.