“Many Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge systems, crucial for biodiversity, as enshrined in Article 8J, celebrate the sacredness of trees. In addition to being a source of food, shelter and medicine, for many Indigenous Peoples, trees are living beings with spiritual significance and deep ancestral connections. The 2008 CBD COP 9 Decision IX/5 mandates the precautionary approach to genetically modified trees. Unfortunately, pulp company Suzano (and its subsidiary FuturaGene) has received permission to release several varieties of genetically modified eucalyptus trees for commercial production. Gene-edited GM trees are also being developed. The commercial release of GM/gene edited trees would worsen the already devastating impacts of industrial plantations on global biodiversity and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. We call on all Parties to fully implement the CBD’s 2008 decision and stop all GM trees.”
- Anne Petermann, Campaign to STOP GE Trees
Indigenous Peoples on the sacredness of trees and the dangers of GM trees:
According to Frank Billie of the Seminole Nation, “the forest gives life to The People, but these GE trees mean death. They are not for The People, they are only to make money for a few rich people.” GE trees “need to be stopped immediately,” he added.
Celerina Sánchez is a poet and linguist of tu'un savi (Mixteco), originally from Mesón de Guadalupe in Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca, México. Here is an authorized translation of her poem Yùtú – Tree.
I am tree, I am the ancient twisted root, soul of my culture
A towering tree who flirts with the sun, and cries sap; a strong and noble tree
I am tree, who has flourished throughout eternity, bathed in rain,
Guarding our ancestor’s umbilical cords
Gustavo Ulcué Campo of the Nasa People and the National Commission of Indigenous Territories (CNTI) of Colombia explained that “GM trees threaten the way of life, ancestral knowledge and food systems of Indigenous Peoples. Defending territories is defending life!”
Casey Camp-Horinek, Ambassador on the Environment, Ponca Nation, stresses that GM trees must be stopped immediately. “Everything that has to be done, has to be done now. The urgency is here.” The distinguished Indigenous elder and actor beloved for her role in the hit series Reservation Dogs is utterly appalled by GM trees. “Who has the foolishness and ugliness to take the seed from this relative and alter it in whatever manner they do? It hurts how these humans are coming up with these false solutions to what they have created – what they call climate change.”
Francisco Calà Tzay, Maya Kaqchikel from Guatemala, the former UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, insists that to protect the Amazon and global biodiversity, “we must not allow GM forests to be created.” He also stressed that one of the best ways to protect the environment and forests of the world is by titling and demarcating of Indigenous Peoples’ territories.