FSC Indigenous Foundation welcomes Minnie Degawan as Managing Director

We are proud to announce the appointment of Minnie Degawan as its new Managing Director

FSC-IF

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC IF) is proud to announce the appointment of Minnie Degawan as its new Managing Director, effective March 1, 2025.

With over thirty years of experience advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and integrating their knowledge into global conservation efforts, Minnie’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter for the Foundation. Throughout her career, she has worked to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ rights are upheld across diverse spaces, including in collaboration with the business sector—particularly within the forestry industry. This new role presents an opportunity to realize a long-held vision of bridging the business and Indigenous communities, fostering meaningful partnerships that drive both responsible forest stewardship and and respect for Indigenous rights.

Minnie, a member of the Kankanaey-Igorot people of the Cordillera region of the Philippines, brings a distinguished career to this position. She has most recently worked as a social safeguard’s consultant for The Nature Conservancy and previously as director of Conservation International’s Indigenous Peoples Program, where she co-led the GEF-funded Inclusive Conservation Initiative and secured funding. Her roles have included developing reallocation mechanisms for forest carbon finance, leading Indigenous negotiations programs, and fostering partnerships between Indigenous Peoples and global stakeholders.

Minnie’s strategic vision has driven transformational change throughout her career. As Managing Director, her goal is to position the FSC Indigenous Foundation as a globally recognized and influential organization that not only promotes the recognition and practice of Indigenous Peoples’ rights but also ensures their full integration into FSC’s global framework. Through her leadership, FSC-IF is strengthening its role as a bridge between Indigenous communities and sustainable forest management, advocating for policies, and economic opportunities that empower Indigenous Peoples as key actors in global conservation efforts.

“My vision for the Foundation is for it to be recognized globally as a credible Indigenous Peoples’ organization that can partner with diverse stakeholders to promote the recognition and actual practice of Indigenous Peoples’ rights,” Minnie said. “Through collaboration, inclusion and empowerment, we can ensure that indigenous voices are not only heard but are at the forefront of sustainability efforts.”

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President of the FSC Indigenous Foundation, praised Minnie’s extensive experience and dedication:

“Minnie’s leadership is a beacon of hope for indigenous peoples around the world. Her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing indigenous communities, combined with her track record of advocacy and partnership building, will take the FSC Indigenous Foundation to new heights. ”

The Permanent Indigenous Peoples’ Permanent Committee (PIPC), as an advisor to the FSC Board of Directors and a representative of the Indigenous voices and Peoples certified by the FSC, expresses, through its chair, Alina Santiago, its willingness to continue collaborating with the new director to strengthen the FSC Indigenous Foundation.

“The goal is to establish the Foundation as an organization that equips Indigenous Peoples with the necessary tools to promote and enhance both their organizations and the sustainable use of their forest resources.“

Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General of the Forest Stewardship Council International and Founder of the FSC Indigenous Foundation, highlighted the importance of Minnie’s appointment:

“The FSC Indigenous Foundation was founded to create a platform for Indigenous Peoples to lead global dialogues on sustainability and responsible forest stewardship. Minnie’s appointment represents a strong step forward in fulfilling this mission.”

The FSC Indigenous Foundation also expresses its deep gratitude to Sarah Banda-Genchev, who has worked with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for over a decade and has served as Management Consultant and Acting Interim Managing Director of the FSC-IF since February 2024.

Under Minnie Degawan’s leadership, the FSC Indigenous Foundation is strengthening its impact by fostering global partnerships and advancing the rights and values of Indigenous Peoples. A key pillar of this work is supporting Indigenous-led solutions, ensuring that Indigenous communities can benefit from sustainable forestry while preserving their traditional knowledge and land stewardship practices. Minnie’s vision of global collaboration and recognition will drive meaningful and sustainable change, positioning Indigenous Peoples as leaders in responsible forest management and ensuring their full participation in the global FSC framework.

About the FSC Indigenous Foundation

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) is a global organization dedicated to advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights, values, and leadership within the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) framework. Committed to promoting sustainable forest management, the Foundation works to increase Indigenous participation in FSC certification, governance, and decision-making. By fostering partnerships, advocating for Indigenous-led solutions, and integrating traditional knowledge into forest stewardship, FSC-IF strives to create a future where forests are sustainably managed with Indigenous Peoples as key actors in conservation, climate resilience, and equitable economic opportunities.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Maria De Leon
Communications Specialist
m.deleon@fsc.org

Alina Liviet Santiago appointed as president of the FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee

Strengthening sustainable forest management through Indigenous leadership

FSC-IF

During the 43^rd meeting of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC), held in Bonn, Germany, PIPC Vice Chair Alina Liviet Santiago Jimenez was elected president by the committee members, after 6 months of serving as acting chairperson, together with the Vice-Chairperson, Praful Lakra, the committee members unanimously decided to proclaim Ms. Alina Santiago as acting chairperson of the FSC Permanent Committee on Indigenous Peoples.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation congratulates Ms. Alina Santiago on her appointment and reaffirms its commitment to supporting her in this new role.

“Thank you very much for the trust and I feel very committed to the FSC and to the Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee. It is a great responsibility that has been entrusted to me today. We have high expectations with the new 2025 work plan,” said Alina Santiago.

Ms. Alina Santiago belongs the the Zapoteco Indigenous People from the community Ixtlán de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked alongside Indigenous communities on a wide range of issues, including FSC certification, community governance, and sustainable livelihoods.

A dedicated advocate for the rights and sustainable practices of Indigenous Peoples, Alina Santiago is an individual member of FSC’s Southern Social Chamber. Her work focuses on advancing Indigenous-led solutions to environmental and social challenges through effective leadership and advocacy.

In Mexico, Alina Santiago has overseen the chain of custody and multi-site chain of custody certification process and has contributed to the preparation of audits for Forest Management certification. She is a consultant for Indigenous communities in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca, where she provides expertise in management, project development, and the formation and monitoring of communal enterprises. She supports FSC certification and resource management in collaboration with national and international organizations.

She currently holds the position of health councilor in the municipality of her community, which is governed by the Indigenous normative system.

Learn more about the sustainable forest management models implemented in her community.

Praful Lakra, PIPC representative from Asia, will continue in his role as Vice President of the PIPC, and David Flood, PIPC representative from Canada, will also serve as Vice President.

Oceania Regional Meeting 2025

Advancing Indigenous Knowledge, Engagement and Collaborative Strategies for Sustainable Forest Stewardship

FSC-IF

Join Us for the Oceania Regional Meeting: Hosted by the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC Indigenous Foundation, and FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee

Date: January 20–22, 2025
Venue: Taupo, New Zealand, and virtual via Zoom (Virtual session only on the 20th-21st)

This meeting brings together Indigenous leaders, regional stakeholders from Oceania, and FSC representatives to discuss sustainable forest stewardship, foster collaboration, and promote Indigenous-led strategies for addressing environmental challenges.

Key Highlights:

Integration of Indigenous and global practices for sustainable forest management

Strategic discussions on FSC tools and ecosystem services

PIPC election process for Oceania representatives

Opportunities for regional partnerships and knowledge exchange

Please Note: Participation will be confirmed following an approval process. Once your registration is reviewed and approved, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting details.

Register Now to Secure Your Spot.

For more information, please get in touch with us at fsc.if@fsc.org. We look forward to your participation in shaping the future of sustainable forest stewardship and Indigenous Peoples engagement within the Forest Stewardship Council, and the FSC Indigenous Foundation in Oceania!

I am the forest, and the forest is me

Global Indigenous leaders gather to exchange knowledge and foster greater awareness of Indigenous perspectives on forest stewardship.

FSC-IF

From December 9 – 13 in Bonn, Germany, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC), FSC Indigenous Foundation Council members, and Indigenous leaders from around the world gathered for an important training and knowledge exchange workshop.

Supported by the FSC and the FSC Indigenous Foundation, the workshop explored how to amplify Indigenous voices within the FSC framework, deepen understanding of FSC’s vision, principles, and tools, and foster greater awareness of Indigenous perspectives on forest stewardship.

A global committee for Indigenous rights and forests

The Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) is a global advisory committee of Indigenous representatives from all regions of the planet to advise the FSC International Board on the FSC certification system, safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ rights, enhance forest management, and support Indigenous Peoples in building FSC certified forest stewardship, increasing their market share and value. The FSC Indigenous Foundation serves as the Secretariat of the PIPC.

PIPC members Alina Liviet Santiago of the Zapoteca Peoples in Mexico, Nadia Gomez of the Warpe Peoples in Argentina, Samante Anne of the Maasai People in Kenya, and David Collard of the Nyoongar Peoples in Australia joined the workshop in person, along with alternate members Te Ngaehe Wanikau of the Maori in Aotearoa and Selvyn Perez of the Maya in Guatemala. Members David Flood of the Matachewan First Nation in Canada, Basiru Isa of the Bororo Peoples of Cameroon, Praful Lakra of the Kurukh People of India, Olga Kostrova of the Chulym People of Russia, and Niila Inga of the Sami People in Sweden joined virtually. Two representatives from the FSC-IF Council were also present – Vice Chair Peggy Smith and Nicholas Mujah.

In addition, PIPC members invited Indigenous leaders from their regions engaged in sustainable forest management, from the lands of the Sámpi in Sweden, Ixtlan de Juarez in Mexico, Maori of Aotearoa, and from the impenetrable Choco in Argentina.

Finally, members of the FSC-IF staff and FSC staff were present.

This workshop was a key activity in the 2024 PIPC Work Plan to reinforce capacity building and knowledge exchange, providing a platform for in-depth discussions with several key FSC units.

The PIPC’s 2024 Work Plan was focused on four key areas: strengthening governance and leadership to ensure better representation of Indigenous Peoples within FSC, increasing active participation in FSC initiatives and policy development, enhancing knowledge sharing and capacity-building for both PIPC members and non-Indigenous stakeholders, and raising the visibility of Indigenous issues within the FSC community.

Knowledge exchange workshop

FSC Director General Subhra Bhattacharjee opened the workshop, emphasizing the importance of robust inputs from PIPC members regarding the challenges of climate change. PIPC Co-Chair Alina Liviet Santiago, FSC-IF Interim Managing Director Sarah Banda-Genchev, FSC-IF Council Vice-Chair Peggy Smith, and FSC Board Member and Liaison with PIPC Zandra Martinez, also gave opening remarks.

Next, PIPC members, alternates, and other invited Indigenous leaders presented themselves, their Peoples, and their forests.

“Forests are a right.” David Collard

“I am the forest and the forest is me. If our forests are in pain, we are in pain.” Te Ngaehe Wanikau

“Reindeer depend on natural, untouched forests.” Niila Inga

“We do not own the land, but we share the land with the whole community.” Alina Liviet Santiago

“Indigenous knowledge is what has kept our forests around.” Samante Anne

Kim Carstensen, Former Director General of the FSC, Zandra Martinez, PIPC Board Liaison, Peggy Smith, Vice-Chair of the FSC-IF Council, and Alina Santiago, PIPC Co-chair began by dicussing the history and establishment of the PIPC, and how the FSC and FSC Indigenous Foundation work together.

Gemma Boetekees, Director of Stakeholder Solutions at FSC, and Kim Carstensen discussed the past 30 years of FSC’s journey and the importance of Indigenous input for the upcoming 2025 General Assembly, to be held in Panama City, Panama.

Specific collaboration with FSC

This workshop provided a platform for in-depth discussions with several key FSC units. Lieske van Santen, Director of the Global Network Unit, shared about the FSC network and diverse stakeholders within the organization and explored potential opportunities for deeper engagement with Indigenous communities.

From the Performance and Standards Unit, Stefan Salvador, Sandra Fahd, Andres Venegas Soto, Maria Pilar Melero Bravo, and Jannicka Murphy shared the FSC Normative Framework and an overview of FSC Principles and Criteria, focusing on Principle 3 related to Indigenous Peoples’ rights and Principle 9 related to high conservation values. The Principles and Criteria revision process will begin in 2025, and all participants discussed how Indigenous Peoples can be involved in this process. PIPC members expressed their interest in being involved in the revision.

Frank Trolliet, also from the Performance and Standards Unit, led an exploration of existing FSC maps and potential for the development of a map showing the overlap between Indigenous Peoples’ forests and certification. Despite the data security limitations, there was a lot of interest in creating this map.

From the System Integrity Unit, Salem Jones, Jessica Surma, Julian Nierentz, Mario G. Aguilera, Marc Jessell and Lorena Martinez presented the FSC Remedy Framework, Revision of FSC Complaints and Appeals Procedures, and a specific case. All participants discussed how to build relationships of trust with Indigenous communities, and how PIPC can be involved in the consultation on the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) indicators. An in-depth discussion on the challenges faced by Indigenous communities living in isolation adjacent to forest management areas and the resolutions addressing these issues was carried out.

Maria Wowro and Natalia De Morais Gagini, working on Ecosystem Services within the Marketing and Commercial Unit, explained what Ecosystem Services are – the essential benefits that forests provide to people and the environment, such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and biodiversity conservation. A discussion followed on incorporating cultural services and practices into FSC’s Ecosystem Services Procedure, with a focus on the benefits of certification for Indigenous communities. In addition, Sean Nyquist presented on non-timber forest products and explained the global rubber value chain, prompting participants to reflect on exploring NTFPs within their territories  

Finally, PIPC members shared valuable insights to support the FSC Indigenous Foundation’s strategy on climate, biodiversity, land, finance, and ecosystem services.

“The Pacific contributes less than a quarter of 1% to climate change and yet the impact there is disproportionate,” said Te Ngaehe Wanikau, Maori from Aotearoa. “The Pacific generates 50% of the oxygen we breathe, and these are all Indigenous nations, maybe up to a third of them will not last another 50 years.”

“When it is supposed to snow it is raining, when it should be minus degrees it is plus degrees, so when you are doing the migration routes from summer pastures down to winter pasture it is dangerous because lakes and rivers are not freezing,” said Karin Nutti Pilflykt, Sami from Sweden.

“About 10 years, the water crisis began, and it has been complicated. It has been affecting Indigenous communities, because they have regional economies, and increasingly less water is available, also affecting forest areas,” said Nadia Gomez, Warpe from Argentina

“In our community, climate change is manifested in pests. Bark strippers is one of the pests that we cannot eradicate,” said Loida Ramirez, Zapoteca from Mexico.

Next steps: Oceania meeting in Aotearoa

The PIPC will hold the Oceania Regional Meeting from January 20 – 25, 2025 in Taupo, Aotearoa/New Zealand. The meeting aims to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and a constructive dialogue on forest stewardship within the Oceania region, focusing on integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge for sustainable forest management. It will feature key discussions on FSC certification, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, governance, and sustainable forest management, as well as an emphasis on cultural respect and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Interested Indigenous Peoples from the region are invited to attend.

Join us

This workshop marks an important milestone in the collaborative journey between Indigenous leaders, FSC, and the FSC-IF, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge and voices remain at the forefront of global efforts for sustainable forest management, and climate, biodiversity and restoration. Together, we continue to build more inclusive and effective forestry practices around the world and promote Indigenous Peoples rights, forests, and territories.

Reach out to us at fsc.if@fsc.org if you would like to be a part of this journey. 

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