Youth Corner
Leading Cultural and Environmental Resilience in the Cofán Community in Colombia
Photo by David Riaño Cortés on Pexels
Photo by David Riaño Cortés on Pexels
Youth Corner
Leading Cultural and Environmental Resilience in the Cofán Community in Colombia
Photo by David Riaño Cortés on Pexels
Photo by David Riaño Cortés on Pexels
Jenny Paguay Criollo is a 27-year-old certified public accountant from Colombia and a member of the Cofán Indigenous community, specializing in development projects. She served as Governor of the Santa Rosa del Guamuez Reserve in Putumayo, where she actively participated in various struggles to defend the land and protect Mother Earth. She leads the implementation of the UNESCO-coordinated BES Solution Fund project in Colombia, in collaboration with two Indigenous Cofán reserves (Yarinal - San Marcelino and Campoalegre del Afilador) and with support from the National Natural Parks of Colombia and the Colombia National Commission for UNESCO. The project focuses on the documentation of Cofán customary governance practices and knowledge in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in the Flora Plantas Medicinales Orito Ingi Ande Sanctuary in Colombia.
Jenny Paguay Criollo is a 27-year-old certified public accountant from Colombia and a member of the Cofán Indigenous community, specializing in development projects. She served as Governor of the Santa Rosa del Guamuez Reserve in Putumayo, where she actively participated in various struggles to defend the land and protect Mother Earth. She leads the implementation of the UNESCO-coordinated BES Solution Fund project in Colombia, in collaboration with two Indigenous Cofán reserves (Yarinal - San Marcelino and Campoalegre del Afilador) and with support from the National Natural Parks of Colombia and the Colombia National Commission for UNESCO. The project focuses on the documentation of Cofán customary governance practices and knowledge in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in the Flora Plantas Medicinales Orito Ingi Ande Sanctuary in Colombia.
A conversation with Jenny Paguay Criollo, who shares her profound connection to her heritage and the natural world.
Raised under the guidance of her grandparents, Jenny reflects on how their teachings shaped her understanding of the sacred bond between her people and Mother Earth. She continues to champion the preservation of both cultural diversity and biodiversity in Colombia while inspiring future generations to carry forward this legacy.
Can you share a memory or story from your childhood that shaped your deep connection to your culture and the environment?
My childhood was deeply influenced by walks with my grandparents – Luis Antonio Criollo, the Traditional Authority (Taita), and María Criollo, knowledge holder of ancestral medicine in the Santa Rosa del Guamuez reserve. This is where I was born and raised under the traditional knowledge of the Cofán people.
Following my grandmother’s guidance, I learned about sacred and medicinal plants and their uses – above all, the respect we must have for Mother Earth, as she is home to invisible beings and has her own guardians. Our territory is our source of life, where we practice our traditions, such as spirituality and the chagra as a means of sustenance.
I especially remember the stories about the origins of the Cofán people, based on our own cosmovision and law of origin. These stories were told around the fire during ceremonies – which I continue to practice with my grandparents. Their wisdom has guided me in understanding the outside world so that I can lead and represent my community. Our culture depends on and coexists with Mother Earth, a connection with the spirits of nature that has been passed down across generations.
Can you share a memory or story from your childhood that shaped your deep connection to your culture and the environment?
My childhood was deeply influenced by walks with my grandparents – Luis Antonio Criollo, the Traditional Authority (Taita), and María Criollo, knowledge holder of ancestral medicine in the Santa Rosa del Guamuez reserve. This is where I was born and raised under the traditional knowledge of the Cofán people.
Following my grandmother’s guidance, I learned about sacred and medicinal plants and their uses – above all, the respect we must have for Mother Earth, as she is home to invisible beings and has her own guardians. Our territory is our source of life, where we practice our traditions, such as spirituality and the chagra as a means of sustenance.
I especially remember the stories about the origins of the Cofán people, based on our own cosmovision and law of origin. These stories were told around the fire during ceremonies – which I continue to practice with my grandparents. Their wisdom has guided me in understanding the outside world so that I can lead and represent my community. Our culture depends on and coexists with Mother Earth, a connection with the spirits of nature that has been passed down across generations.
Is there a specific plant or place in the reserve (resguardo) that holds special significance for you?
There is a sacred plant called yagé (u’fa), which holds great significance for the Cofán people. It is especially meaningful to me because through this plant, I practice the ceremony that helps me guide my community in its communal processes and in becoming a good leader.
Yagé is not just a medicinal plant; it is a spiritual bridge that connects our community to our ancestors and to the knowledge of the universe. It transmits the wisdom of the spirits and teaches us how we, as A’i (Cofán people), should behave and how to interact with the world around us, fostering a sense of unity and care for our territory from our cosmovision.
Is there a specific plant or place in the reserve (resguardo) that holds special significance for you?
There is a sacred plant called yagé (u’fa), which holds great significance for the Cofán people. It is especially meaningful to me because through this plant, I practice the ceremony that helps me guide my community in its communal processes and in becoming a good leader.
Yagé is not just a medicinal plant; it is a spiritual bridge that connects our community to our ancestors and to the knowledge of the universe. It transmits the wisdom of the spirits and teaches us how we, as A’i (Cofán people), should behave and how to interact with the world around us, fostering a sense of unity and care for our territory from our cosmovision.
Growing up as part of the Cofán community, what inspired you to step into a leadership role at such a young age?
I am always grateful for the teachings and guidance my grandparents have given me in spiritual and community spaces, showing me how we should live as brothers and sisters of the Cofán people (A’i) and the need to protect our culture, traditions and territory from external threats.
From a young age, I understood that if we, as youth, do not take on these roles and responsibilities in the fight to protect and preserve what makes us unique as A’i people, no one else will.
I have always admired the resilience of the elders in ceremonies, their efforts to rescue our uses, customs and traditions so that they endure over time. The Indigenous Guard plays a key role in protecting our territories, which inspired me to take on a leadership role and contribute to this struggle to protect what little remains.
Growing up as part of the Cofán community, what inspired you to step into a leadership role at such a young age?
I am always grateful for the teachings and guidance my grandparents have given me in spiritual and community spaces, showing me how we should live as brothers and sisters of the Cofán people (A’i) and the need to protect our culture, traditions and territory from external threats.
From a young age, I understood that if we, as youth, do not take on these roles and responsibilities in the fight to protect and preserve what makes us unique as A’i people, no one else will.
I have always admired the resilience of the elders in ceremonies, their efforts to rescue our uses, customs and traditions so that they endure over time. The Indigenous Guard plays a key role in protecting our territories, which inspired me to take on a leadership role and contribute to this struggle to protect what little remains.
How has the BES Solution Fund project supported your community’s efforts in conserving biodiversity and preserving cultural diversity in the Orito Ingi Ande Medicinal Plants Sanctuary?
The project has strengthened the connection between various spiritual and political authorities, as well as the communities of the Indigenous resguardos involved in this wonderful work. It has encouraged the transmission of ancestral knowledge and the conservation of Mother Earth by creating spaces for collective thought and collaboration to develop protection strategies. It has also provided resources to document part of our experiences, the sharing of spirituality and the care of biodiversity.
The project has created opportunities for young people in cultural initiatives and audiovisual communication training, ensuring that our conservation legacy serves as an example for society. It is crucial that the Western world recognizes our ancestral ways of caring for and protecting our territory and becomes aware of the harm humans are causing so that necessary protective measures can be taken.
Can you tell us more about the photographic and documentary archive you are working on?
We are creating a documentary and an archive that not only showcases the beauty of our land but also its fragility and the importance of the Cofán people in protecting Mother Earth. Our connection with the spirits of nature has been passed down through generations and continues to contribute to biodiversity, preserving ways of life that many people still do not know exist.
We hope to generate a positive impact by encouraging reflection and renewed interest in protecting what surrounds us. Through this project, we want to tell the story of our cultural and environmental resistance, inspiring others to appreciate the richness of Indigenous communities, particularly the Cofán culture, one of the oldest in our country.
This powerful tool can revitalize interest among our youth in strengthening Cofán knowledge. Seeing their culture reflected in media – photography, videos, social networks – can inspire pride in our roots and serve as an educational tool for transmitting cultural knowledge.
How has the BES Solution Fund project supported your community’s efforts in conserving biodiversity and preserving cultural diversity in the Orito Ingi Ande Medicinal Plants Sanctuary?
The project has strengthened the connection between various spiritual and political authorities, as well as the communities of the Indigenous resguardos involved in this wonderful work. It has encouraged the transmission of ancestral knowledge and the conservation of Mother Earth by creating spaces for collective thought and collaboration to develop protection strategies. It has also provided resources to document part of our experiences, the sharing of spirituality and the care of biodiversity.
The project has created opportunities for young people in cultural initiatives and audiovisual communication training, ensuring that our conservation legacy serves as an example for society. It is crucial that the Western world recognizes our ancestral ways of caring for and protecting our territory and becomes aware of the harm humans are causing so that necessary protective measures can be taken.
Can you tell us more about the photographic and documentary archive you are working on?
We are creating a documentary and an archive that not only showcases the beauty of our land but also its fragility and the importance of the Cofán people in protecting Mother Earth. Our connection with the spirits of nature has been passed down through generations and continues to contribute to biodiversity, preserving ways of life that many people still do not know exist.
We hope to generate a positive impact by encouraging reflection and renewed interest in protecting what surrounds us. Through this project, we want to tell the story of our cultural and environmental resistance, inspiring others to appreciate the richness of Indigenous communities, particularly the Cofán culture, one of the oldest in our country.
This powerful tool can revitalize interest among our youth in strengthening Cofán knowledge. Seeing their culture reflected in media – photography, videos, social networks – can inspire pride in our roots and serve as an educational tool for transmitting cultural knowledge.
Reflecting on your experience participating at the CBD COP16, what impact has it had on your current work or plans for future projects?
Since it was my first time participating in such an important space as COP16, it showed me the importance of our voice in a global arena as Indigenous brothers and sisters. The most significant moment was seeing how our own experiences and practices can inspire other communities and countries to care for and preserve biodiversity. This motivated me to continue working on projects that integrate conservation and culture, ensuring that our traditions and the protection of Mother Earth and humanity continue for thousands of years.
The project highlights the nurturing essence of femininity, embodied by Mother Earth and the grandmothers’ leadership in caring for nasipas. How does this feminine perspective and leadership enhance your community’s conservation efforts?
Female leadership is fundamental because women transmit knowledge from a perspective of care and balance, ensuring that conservation practices remain sustainable and respectful of the environment. As life-givers, we understand the fragility of nature and the importance of protecting it.
Reflecting on your experience participating at the CBD COP16, what impact has it had on your current work or plans for future projects?
Since it was my first time participating in such an important space as COP16, it showed me the importance of our voice in a global arena as Indigenous brothers and sisters. The most significant moment was seeing how our own experiences and practices can inspire other communities and countries to care for and preserve biodiversity. This motivated me to continue working on projects that integrate conservation and culture, ensuring that our traditions and the protection of Mother Earth and humanity continue for thousands of years.
The project highlights the nurturing essence of femininity, embodied by Mother Earth and the grandmothers’ leadership in caring for nasipas. How does this feminine perspective and leadership enhance your community’s conservation efforts?
Female leadership is fundamental because women transmit knowledge from a perspective of care and balance, ensuring that conservation practices remain sustainable and respectful of the environment. As life-givers, we understand the fragility of nature and the importance of protecting it.
What lessons do these ancestral traditions offer young generations about sustainability and resilience?
According to Cofán cosmovision, everything in the world is interconnected through the law of origin – every being has its guardian. This is why our ceremonies are so important, as they teach young people that protecting our land is not just a duty but an act of love for future generations.
As a young woman, how do you see your role in advancing these conservation efforts while respecting and preserving traditional roles?
My role as a young Cofán woman is to find a balance between honoring traditions and adapting them to modern challenges. I believe young women can serve as bridges between past and future generations, fostering new ways of preserving our culture and environment.
How do you see your work and that of your fellow youth contributing to the survival and flourishing of your people and their knowledge?
Our work focuses on rescuing and strengthening our identity and sharing it with the world. We document, learn and transfer knowledge to ensure that our culture remains alive and that future generations of Cofán continue passing it down. That is why it is essential for young people to deepen their understanding of their own knowledge and ensure its transmission.
What gives you hope for the Cofán people’s future?
Hope comes from seeing young people eager to learn and from the support we receive from various organizations that help us share and interact with different people, allowing us to experience the collaboration across Western and ancestral knowledge. The solidarity of other communities that value our struggle also gives me hope, encouraging me to keep fighting despite the challenges along the way.
The balance between humanity and nature is not a dream; it is a reality that Indigenous communities, especially the Cofán people, have lived for generations.
What lessons do these ancestral traditions offer young generations about sustainability and resilience?
According to Cofán cosmovision, everything in the world is interconnected through the law of origin – every being has its guardian. This is why our ceremonies are so important, as they teach young people that protecting our land is not just a duty but an act of love for future generations.
As a young woman, how do you see your role in advancing these conservation efforts while respecting and preserving traditional roles?
My role as a young Cofán woman is to find a balance between honoring traditions and adapting them to modern challenges. I believe young women can serve as bridges between past and future generations, fostering new ways of preserving our culture and environment.
How do you see your work and that of your fellow youth contributing to the survival and flourishing of your people and their knowledge?
Our work focuses on rescuing and strengthening our identity and sharing it with the world. We document, learn and transfer knowledge to ensure that our culture remains alive and that future generations of Cofán continue passing it down. That is why it is essential for young people to deepen their understanding of their own knowledge and ensure its transmission.
What gives you hope for the Cofán people’s future?
Hope comes from seeing young people eager to learn and from the support we receive from various organizations that help us share and interact with different people, allowing us to experience the collaboration across Western and ancestral knowledge. The solidarity of other communities that value our struggle also gives me hope, encouraging me to keep fighting despite the challenges along the way.
The balance between humanity and nature is not a dream; it is a reality that Indigenous communities, especially the Cofán people, have lived for generations.
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