MADRE Statements

Indigenous Information Network: We Feel the loss of Professor Wangari Muta Maathai

Posted on: Friday, September 30, 2011

Keywords: Environment, Activist, Kenya, Africa

Our Kenyan sister organization, the Indigenous Information Network, shared with us this tribute to Wangari Maathai, environmental justice and pro-democracy activist. Wangari Maathai passed away on September 25. The following is an excerpt from the tribute.

Indigenous Information Network

Indigenous Information Network: We feel the loss of Prof. Wangari Muta Maathai

“It is evident that many wars are fought over resources which are now becoming increasingly scarce. If we conserved our resources better, fighting over them would not then occur…so, protecting the global environment is directly related to securing peace…those of us who understand the complex concept of the environment have the burden to act. We must not tire, we must not give up, and we must persist.”-Wangari Maathai

Indigenous Information Network, African Indigenous Women’s Organization and members of the Indigenous Network for Change, with all the Network in the Country, Eastern Africa and the African region as a whole were shocked and saddened by the news of the passing on of Professor Wangari Maathai who was our Mother, Leader, Guide, Teacher and Mentor in all our Environmental work in the region and Globally.

We have lost a real force who took us through Good Environmental Governance. One who reminded us why the air we breathe is so important to us and the generation to come, and that, the only way to get that fresh air is by planting a tree. We are privileged to have been partners and honored to work with her and The Greenbelt Movement. Her genuine interest in environmental issues was inspirational to our organization and the world at large. We know she lives on with us and that we will continue supporting and contributing to the work she started, making her good work a true legacy of our Nation, our Region and the diverse World we all live in.

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