Uyunkar
Domingo Peas
As an Achuar leader and President of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, he has united 30 Indigenous nations to collectively protect the rainforest. He also co-founded initiatives like the Living School of the Amazon, empowering the next generation of leaders in environmental stewardship.
THE BACKGROUND
Uyunkar Domingo Peas, an Indigenous leader from the Ecuadorian Amazon, is the founder of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, a coalition of more than 30 Indigenous nations working to protect vast areas of the rainforest. For millennia, their culture, traditions and way of life has been deeply connected to these lands. Today, with nearly half of the Amazon at risk of collapse due to deforestation and climate change, extractive industries continue to threaten both ecosystems and Indigenous lands, more than 20% of which are already affected by mining.
Rooted in the philosophy of Buen Vivir—living in harmony with nature and collective well-being—Domingo's leadership goes beyond defending his people’s rights. He advocates for Indigenous stewardship as a cornerstone of Amazon protection and global environmental stability.
Uyunkar Domingo's Leadership and Impact
Through his efforts, Uynkar Domingo Peas has led the protection of over 35 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest, highlighting the critical role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in both local and global conservation. With the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, he has successfully united a diverse group of Indigenous nations, overcoming significant cultural, social, and political differences to resist extractive industries.
By fostering collaboration among Indigenous groups and engaging external stakeholders, Domingo has proven that Indigenous-led initiatives are vital in addressing the environmental challenges confronting the Amazon. As co-founder of the Living School for the Amazon, an initiative focused on educating and empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders, Domingo helps cultivate a deep understanding of traditional knowledge and sustainable development practices. The school ensures that the wisdom of the Amazon’s Indigenous peoples continues to guide future generations in stewarding their territories and preserving the rainforest.
Domingo's leadership exemplifies the power of collective action, resilience, and profound respect for our natural world. Through his work, he has not only protected Indigenous territories and established a globally resonant model for Indigenous-led environmental protection, but also advanced a vision of sustainable development that drives systemic change and challenges dominant perspectives on progress.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance is working to protect the Amazon through its Bioregional Plan, a blueprint for transitioning from an extractive economy to a regenerative bioeconomy. The plan focuses on securing Indigenous territories, strengthening local governance, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. A key part of this vision is the Living School of the Amazon (EVA), which trains Indigenous youth to lead their communities and defend their territories. Through its nine-month program, students gain valuable skills in governance, human rights, and traditional knowledge. EVA’s graduates are already stepping into leadership roles, helping to strengthen Indigenous governance and protect the Amazon for generations to come.
The wider Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative is dedicated to safeguarding 86 million acres of rainforest and preventing industrial-scale resource extraction. By 2027, the initiative aims to protect 40,000 hectares of coastal waters through a network of Indigenous Marine Protected Areas (iMPAs), with plans to expand to 200 iMPAs by 2030. This work is part of a broader goal to foster a post-carbon economy, protect the climate, and preserve the region’s biodiversity for the future.
Through his efforts, Uynkar Domingo Peas has led the protection of over 35 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest, highlighting the critical role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in both local and global conservation. With the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, he has successfully united a diverse group of Indigenous nations, overcoming significant cultural, social, and political differences to resist extractive industries.
By fostering collaboration among Indigenous groups and engaging external stakeholders, Domingo has proven that Indigenous-led initiatives are vital in addressing the environmental challenges confronting the Amazon. As co-founder of the Living School for the Amazon, an initiative focused on educating and empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders, Domingo helps cultivate a deep understanding of traditional knowledge and sustainable development practices. The school ensures that the wisdom of the Amazon’s Indigenous peoples continues to guide future generations in stewarding their territories and preserving the rainforest.
Domingo's leadership exemplifies the power of collective action, resilience, and profound respect for our natural world. Through his work, he has not only protected Indigenous territories and established a globally resonant model for Indigenous-led environmental protection, but also advanced a vision of sustainable development that drives systemic change and challenges dominant perspectives on progress.
"True leadership is not about being at the forefront, but about walking together—honoring ancestral wisdom, defending life, and paving the way for future generations without expecting anything in return.
This recognition is not just for me, but for the Indigenous peoples who have protected our forests, waters, and cultures for millennia. To lead is to listen, to build unity, and to act with courage in the face of the forces that threaten our shared future."
- Uyunkar Domingo Peas