Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, a 19-year-old climate and environmental activist, speaks at this year’s Ecology Center annual dinner. Lilly Kujawski | Washtenaw Voice
By Lilly Kujawski
Editor
The world may be on fire, in terms of climate change and environmental destruction, but we’re standing at the cusp of a beautiful moment of struggle and unity, according to the keynote speech from indigenous activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, 19, at the Ecology Center annual “changemakers” dinner last week.
The Ecology Center in Ann Arbor is a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization with a focus on human health. The fundraising dinner was held in the Morris Lawrence building at WCC on Oct. 2.
People are coming together like never before in the push for climate action, and youth are leading the way, Martinez said. But working to protect the earth is hardly new to him—Martinez has been on stages speaking about environmental issues since he was six years old.
Martinez serves as a youth director for the environmental and social justice group Earth Guardians. He is also a hip-hop artist and uses music to spread his message.
Martinez has been at the frontlines for a number of causes, including anti-fracking work and the Standing Rock Dakota Access Pipeline protests that began in 2016.
He said movements like the Standing Rock protests are not just about protecting the Earth and water, but they are about shifting a culture and cultivating healing.
“The best way our generation is going to tap into these movements is by doing so unapologetically and fully authentically to who we are,” Martinez said.
“We are in the moment of reevaluating and reimagining what our movements look like, and it is a beautiful time to be alive, a beautiful time to be involved, it’s a beautiful time to be using our voices,” Martinez said.
“We are tapping into something deeper than activism,” he added. “The work we do in this world is not about any one of us.”
Working together in various capacities is essential to the movement, Martinez said.
“This work needs to be done collectively,” Martinez said. He added that he finds hope and solidarity in the other young climate activists he works with.
“Truly I’ve never been alone in this; and now you can see it, you can feel it, you can hear it in the streets, in the way we chant and the way we speak to one another,” said Martinez, whose father is of Aztec heritage. “You can feel it in the water, in the wind, you can feel it in the work of our ancestor’s being realized.”
Martinez said that the environmental movement belongs to “all of us,” but for many indigenous people, there is also a lot of oppression and trauma associated with this work, and white environmentalists should tread “intentionally” and “carefully” in their involvement.
He said there is an important role for allies and the best thing they can do is to come from a humble place, ask questions, listen, provide support and resources when they are needed, but also be willing to take a step back when appropriate.
“Indigenous people must lead,” said David Pitawanakwat, of environmental movements, another speaker at the event.
“Especially this coming year, voting is going to be hugely significant,” said Martinez, who lives in Colorado. “Everybody needs to vote.”
However, Martinez said we “can’t put all our eggs in that basket,” and instead, need to take a holistic approach to the climate movement.
The Ecology Center “Changemakers” annual dinner is a fundraising event for the Ann Arbor nonprofit. Lilly Kujawski | Washtenaw Voice
Katie Fahey, founder of the Voters Not Politicians campaign to end gerrymandering was honored at the dinner with the Herbert Munzel award, presented by state Rep. Yousef Rabhi, an Ann Arbor democrat.
Fahey also stressed the importance of voting and taking action in the community.
“Yes, the world is on fire, but yes, I can do something about it and also, I must,” Fahey said.
A recording of 16-year-old Greta Thunberg’s recent speech at the United Nations was played during dinner.
Martinez told the Voice that students looking to get involved in the climate movement should reach out to other young people and work together. One way to do this is by getting involved with the Earth Guardians group. Chapters of the group can be started at any level and can be incorporated into existing clubs.
Earth Guardians “taps young people into a global network” and connects them with tools and resources, Martinez said. He also suggested downloading Earth Guardians’ app called “EarthTracks,” which calculates one’s individual environmental impact, including carbon footprint, waste production and water usage. The app, which he called a “fitbit for the planet,” also provides ways to lower that impact.
