Minnie Degawan at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
FSC IF
From the mountain ridges of the Philippines to the halls of the United Nations, the voices of Indigenous Peoples continue to rise—not in protest alone, but in wisdom, resilience, and deep-rooted knowledge of how to live in balance with nature.
This April, as world leaders and Indigenous representatives gather in New York for the 24th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), our Managing Director Minnie Degawan—a proud Kankanaey Igorot woman—will be there, carrying the stories and hopes of Indigenous communities from around the globe. With the theme of this year’s session focused on “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the moment is not just symbolic—it’s strategic. It’s a time to spotlight good practices, confront persistent challenges, and most of all, listen to those who have safeguarded the planet for generations.
As part of our Voices of the Land campaign, Minnie’s presence at the Forum is more than participation—it’s a powerful act of advocacy. In a heartfelt video message to mark the occasion, she shares, “we believe that the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples is essential to the health of our planet.” Through Voices of the Land, we are sharing real stories of Indigenous leadership in forest stewardship, language preservation, and climate resilience—stories that often go unheard, but are vital to reimagining a sustainable future.
The campaign and the Forum intersect in their urgency. While Indigenous Peoples manage over 25% of the Earth’s land surface and protect 80% of its biodiversity, their rights remain fragile, their languages endangered, and their contributions under-recognized. At the FSC Indigenous Foundation, we’re committed to changing that narrative—by investing in Indigenous-led solutions, creating platforms for Indigenous voices, and calling for meaningful partnerships across all sectors.
We are also proud to share that Ms. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chair of the FSC Indigenous Foundation Council, is leading this year’s Forum as the Chair of the UNPFII. Her leadership marks a moment of great promise—one in which Indigenous voices are not only represented, but guiding the way forward.
And with Mother Earth Day approaching on April 22, this is a time to reconnect with our roots, renew our commitments, and honor the Earth—as Indigenous Peoples have done since time immemorial.
📢 Get Involved:
Watch Minnie’s video message and share it with your network.
Follow us on social media for live updates from UNPFII 2025.
Support Indigenous-led solutions and fund transformation: contact us at fsc.if@fsc.org
Round Table “Sustainable Trade in North America: Indigenous Perspectives”
Montreal, Canada – March 24th and 25th, 2025
FSC-IF
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the Bieler School of Environment at McGill University organized the round table “Sustainable Trade in North America: Indigenous Perspectives” on March 24 and 25, 2025 in Montreal, Canada.
This event brought together specialists from Indigenous communities, researchers, conservation professionals and representatives from the public and private sectors to analyze how Indigenous values, relational approaches, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), cultural heritage, nature-based solutions (NbS) and the revitalization of Indigenous trade can contribute to a more sustainable trade model in the US, Canada and Mexico.
During the sessions, key policies and initiatives were identified that seek to strengthen Indigenous-owned businesses and promote sustainable business practices in North America. The restructuring of trade in the region opens up new opportunities to include Indigenous perspectives, recognizing their fundamental role in the responsible use of resources, the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of the identity and worldview of their Indigenous Peoples.
One aspect to highlight was the participation of the Chair of the FSC Permanent Committee on Indigenous Peoples, Alina Santiago, whose presence emphasized the importance of indigenous peoples in the sustainable management of natural resources and in the construction of ethical and inclusive trade models. Her contribution allowed us to learn more about their experiences, the FSC tools and the challenges faced by indigenous communities in the context of sustainable trade, and to highlight the need to strengthen indigenous participation in these regional spaces.
The event underlined the urgency of integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into commercial strategies to guarantee long-term sustainability. Representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico agreed on the need to expand the participation of Indigenous peoples in these spaces, strengthening their role in the regional economy and guaranteeing that their ancestral knowledge is valued in decision-making.
Sustainable trade in North America is strengthened and improved by taking into account the voices, knowledge and leadership of Indigenous Peoples. This roundtable made it clear that the future of our economies depends on recognizing and valuing Indigenous ways of seeing, caring for and relating to the land. Integrating their perspectives is not only an historical debt, but an essential path to achieving truly sustainable, inclusive development in harmony with nature.
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 43rd 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.
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.
