Hey friends and Earth Guardians, it’s really hard to explain what we’re going through here in Western North Carolina.

I’ve lived here my whole life, and the

Hey friends and Earth Guardians, it’s really hard to explain what we’re going through here in Western North Carolina.

I’ve lived here my whole life, and the devastation from Hurricane Helene is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions—shock, grief, resilience, and maybe a little hope. But things are tough. So many people still don’t have water, power, internet, or even cell service, and every little thing takes way longer than usual. Some of our friends and family are leaving because their basic needs aren’t being met. And hearing that the body count keeps rising—likely into the thousands—makes it all feel so overwhelming.

What’s keeping us afloat right now is the love and support we’re receiving from our community and from people like you.

Please don’t forget about us.

Keep talking about what we’re going through because this disaster is about more than just a storm. It’s connected to climate change, capitalism, and colonization. If humans created these systems, we also have the power to change them. We owe it to the next seven generations to figure out a better way to live—in harmony with the planet and each other.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s donated to our GoFundMe so far!

We’re giving all of it to mutual aid organizations supporting underserved communities here in Western North Carolina. Please keep donating, sharing, and spreading the word—it means everything to us right now.

With love and solidarity. Thank you. 💙

On November 18, WECAN hosted a COP29 press conference where women leaders spoke about the importance of advancing a fossil fuel phaseout and embracing a Just Transition that supports communities

On November 18, WECAN hosted a COP29 press conference where women leaders spoke about the importance of advancing a fossil fuel phaseout and embracing a Just Transition that supports communities and ecosystems. Speakers highlighted the role of climate finance in supporting equitable solutions and ensuring accountability in the Just Transition. Speakers also discussed the efforts of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Speakers included: Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada; Dr. Amiera Sawas, Head of Research and Policy at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty; and Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA.

Women leaders are building critical strategies for national and international divestment that call for justice and accountability from the financial sector and governments to phase out fossil

Women leaders are building critical strategies for national and international divestment that call for justice and accountability from the financial sector and governments to phase out fossil fuels and deforestation, while advocating for a Just Transition that places people and planet first.

During this WECAN press conference at COP27, speakers shared vital reports and strategies for ending the era of fossil fuels and supporting communities and ecosystems impacted by extractive industries and Indigenous rights violations.

Speakers included:
--- Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action
--- Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty
--- Leila Salazar-López, Executive Director, Amazon Watch
--- Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change - COP27 Side Event

At this official UN Side Event, grassroots, frontline and Indigenous women leaders,

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change - COP27 Side Event

At this official UN Side Event, grassroots, frontline and Indigenous women leaders, alongside representatives from international climate justice organizations, spoke out to address root causes of interlocking crises and the need for solutions based in a climate justice framework, including forest and biodiversity protection, Indigenous rights, agro-ecology, fossil fuel resistance, protection of women land defenders, and community-led solutions.

Speakers included:
--- Neema Namadamu, Democratic Republic of Congo Coordinator, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Democratic Republic of Congo
-- Sônia Bone Guajajara (Guajajara), Indigenous Leader from Brazil, Federal Deputy of the National Congress of Brazil, Brazil
--- Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, USA
--- Anne Songole, Climate Justice Coordinator, The African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET), Kenya
--- Jessica Grefa, Indigenous youth leader from Santa Clara
--- Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada
--- Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)

Global Voices and Women-Led Calls to Action in Response to COP27

Around the world, peoples’ movements are responding to the escalating climate crisis and rising to address the

Global Voices and Women-Led Calls to Action in Response to COP27

Around the world, peoples’ movements are responding to the escalating climate crisis and rising to address the urgency and needs of people and the planet. During this event, we heard from women and gender-diverse leaders on the ground at #COP27 to report out on negotiations, share highlights, report releases, calls to action, demands from women globally, struggles, and solutions.

Speakers included:
- Noelene Nabulivou | Co-founder/Director, DIVA for Equality, Fiji;
- Carmen Capriles, Founder of Reacción Climática, WECAN Coordinator for Latin America
- Patricia Gualinga (Kichwa), Indigenous Leader from Sarayaku, and Spokeswoman, Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva;
- Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Convenor and International Spokesperson for Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP);
- Jacqui Patterson, Founder and Executive Director, The Chisholm Legacy Project;
- Leila Salazar-López, Executive Director, Amazon Watch;
- Geraldine Patrick Encina, Indigenous Relations Advisor, One Earth Member of Grand Council of the Eagle and the Condor, and member of Earth Timekeepers;
- Adriana Calderón, Youth Climate Activist, USA & Mexico; Advocate with Fridays For Future, Fridays For Future MAPA (Most Affected People and Areas) and Fridays For Future in Mexico (Viernes Por El Futuro Mexico);
- Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)

On Earth Day 2023 we are releasing a new WECAN video that highlights the advocacy of global women leaders fighting to stop extraction and deforestation while advocating for Indigenous and human

On Earth Day 2023 we are releasing a new WECAN video that highlights the advocacy of global women leaders fighting to stop extraction and deforestation while advocating for Indigenous and human rights and the advancement of critical community-led climate solutions.

Indigenous Women Upholding Indigenous Rights and Knowledge, and Leading Climate Solutions

During this UNPFII side event we hear from global Indigenous women leaders on the impacts of

Indigenous Women Upholding Indigenous Rights and Knowledge, and Leading Climate Solutions

During this UNPFII side event we hear from global Indigenous women leaders on the impacts of fossil fuels, deforestation, and the climate crisis in their communities and how they are implementing solutions, practicing traditional knowledge systems, upholding Indigenous rights, and advancing policies and practices of care and climate justice.

Panel ONE
-- Ruth �chav’aya K’isen Miller (Curyung Tribe of Dena’ina Athabaskan) | Indigenous Climate Activist, Turtle Island, USA
-- Yasso Kanti Bhattachan (Thakali) | Founding Member and the Vice Chair of the National Indigenous Women’s Forum (NIWF), Nepal
-- Claire Charlo ( Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes)| Indigenous Feminisms Organizer, Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), Turtle Island/USA
-- Xiye Bastida (Otomi-Toltec)| Co-founder and Board, Re-earth Initiative, USA

Panel TWO
-- Josefina Tunki (Shuar) | First woman president of the Shuar Arutam organization (PSHA)
-- President Whitney Gravelle (Bay Mills Indian Community) | President and Executive Council Bay Mills Indian Community, Chair of the Department of Interior’s Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee and Commissioner on the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice, Turtle Island/USA
-- Michelle Woodhouse (Métis) | Water Program Manager, Environmental Defence, Canada
-- Majo Andrade Cerda (Kichwa) | Young leader of the Kichwa People of Napo, Land is Life’s Latin America Program Assistant, Ecuador
Panel moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director

As global leaders gathered for the UN Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday, September 20, WECAN hosted an event, right across the street from the UN, bringing together women leaders to call on

As global leaders gathered for the UN Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday, September 20, WECAN hosted an event, right across the street from the UN, bringing together women leaders to call on governments to reckon with their role in fueling climate chaos, and harm against communities and the planet by continuing the extraction of fossil fuels. Governments must invest in and deploy a Just Transition that is grounded in a climate justice framework and uplifts care economies, community-led solutions, Indigenous rights, and a different vision than business as usual. During the event, we hosted two panels detailed below.

In the first panel, “Women Ending the Era of Fossil Fuels," speakers shared expertise and frameworks for transitioning away from extraction and ongoing policy advocacy and campaigns that seek to phase out fossil fuels and other harmful extractive practices.

Speakers included: Sharon Lavigne, Founder and President of RISE St. James, Turtle Island/USA; Farhana Yamin, Coordinator, Climate Justice & Just Transition Donor Collaborative, United Kingdom; Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada; Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Canada; moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, WECAN.

In the second panel, "Women-led Climate Solutions Are Central to a Just Transition and Thriving Future," leaders shared how to implement and support solutions that are advancing a Just Transition, and recent successes and victories for community-led climate just solutions!

Speakers included: Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA; Helena Gualinga (Kichwa from Sarayaku), Indigenous Youth Climate Leader, Ecuador; Ozawa Bineshi Albert (Yuchi and Anishinaabe), Climate Justice Alliance Co-Executive Director, Turtle Island/USA; Elizabeth C. Yeampierre, Executive Director, UPROSE, Turtle Island/USA; Zukiswa White, Coordinator, Women and Gender Constituency, South Africa; moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, WECAN.

To close out our advocacy efforts at Climate Week, WECAN hosted our final event, "How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis," where we heard from movement leaders and

To close out our advocacy efforts at Climate Week, WECAN hosted our final event, "How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis," where we heard from movement leaders and change-makers who wove together stories, worldviews, experiences and victories of restoration and justice that demonstrate the healthy and equitable world we know is possible and needed.

Speakers included: Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA; Helena Gualinga (Kichwa from Sarayaku), Indigenous Youth Climate Leader, Ecuador; Jacqui Patterson, Founder and Executive Director of The Chisholm Legacy Project, USA; Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN); moderation by Antonia Juhasz, Senior Researcher on Fossil Fuels, Human Rights Watch, and Investigative Journalist.

At the closing of the event, Osprey Orielle Lake also shared a preview of her forthcoming book "The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis," to be released in January 2024. Learn more about the book here: https://ospreyoriellelake.earth/