Growing up in Toñampare, a village nestled deep within the lush greenery of the Amazon rainforest during the early 1990s, Nemonte Nenquimo experienced the world from a unique vantage point. Her life was marked by curiosity and an innate connection to nature—a bond that has shaped her into one of today’s most prominent voices for Indigenous rights and environmental activism.

The Dual Worlds of Nemonte Nenquimo

Nemonte, who is now 39, reflects on her childhood as a member of the Waorani tribe. Her upbringing was a tapestry woven from the vibrant cultural practices of her people and the influences of external forces that sought to reshape them.

“I grew up learning how to garden in the Amazon, about the spiritual world,” Nenquimo recalls. “At the same time, it was a missionary village where an American lived…attempted to instill fear in the Waorani people.”

Confronting Personal and Cultural Challenges

Nemonte’s journey took a dramatic turn at 14 when she ventured outside her home community. During this time, she faced harrowing challenges that she bravely recounts in her memoir, “We Will Be Jaguars,” co-written with her husband Mitch Anderson.

• Resilience: Nemonte’s decision to leave and then return to her roots demonstrates incredible resilience and commitment to her identity.
• Healing Through Writing: By sharing her personal experiences, including the trauma of sexual abuse, Nenquimo seeks healing for herself and awareness for others.

The book not only narrates her painful experiences but also serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating her unwavering resolve to protect her community’s way of life against external threats.

Returning Home: A Battle for Survival and Identity

Upon returning to the Amazon after more than a year away, Nemonte was confronted with an alarming sight. Oil companies had infiltrated their territories, wreaking havoc on natural habitats and contaminating vital water sources.

“I came back to my land…to fight to protect our way of life—to defend our rivers and our forests against the bewildering threats we face from oil companies, from loggers, miners, the government,” she explains.

The Ceibo Alliance: A United Front for Indigenous Rights

Encouraged by her resolve to protect her ancestral lands, Nemonte co-founded the Ceibo Alliance in 2015. This organization unites various Indigenous communities—Waorani, Kofan, Siona, and Secoya peoples—with Amazon Frontlines.

• Securing Land Rights: The alliance aims to secure land rights for Indigenous groups and defend their territories from ongoing threats.
• Cultivating Global Support: A key objective is to build global alliances that support the Indigenous movement in safeguarding their lands.

This collaborative effort bore fruit when, in 2019, Nemonte and her community successfully prevented the auction of their land to oil companies through a landmark court case. This victory was later recognized with the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2020.

The Essence of ‘We Will Be Jaguars’

“We Will Be Jaguars” is more than a memoir; it’s an homage to Nemonte’s ancestors and her people. In her culture, stories are traditionally passed down orally—a rich oral tradition that she preserves by sharing them with the world.

“After many years of struggle…I realized that it was necessary to tell my story to the entire world,” she explains.

A Call for Respect Over Rescue

Nemonte emphasizes a crucial aspect of her activism: Indigenous communities are not seeking salvation from outsiders but rather respect for their autonomy and wisdom.

“Mother Earth is not asking to be saved. She’s just demanding to be respected,” Nenquimo concludes, underlining the importance of respecting nature’s inherent balance.