Thecourtroomwascrowded.NemonteNenquimostoodunderitsharshlights.Herfacewasstreakedwithredpaint.Sheworeacrownoffeathers.Threejudgessatbefore her.
NemonteNenquimoisaleaderoftheWaorani nation.
NemonteNenquimoraisesherfistinasignofstrengthatthestartofthecourt hearing.
NenquimoisamemberoftheWaoranination.HerpeopleliveintherainforestsofEcuador.Theyhavelivedthereforcenturies.Now,theyhadtofightfortheircultureandtheirland.Thegovernmentwantedtoselltheirlandtooilcompanies.TheWaoranifiledalawsuit.Thejudgeswoulddecidewhatwas fair.
ARainforestHome
TheWaoraninationisagroupofindigenouspeople.Theirlandcoversmillionsofacresofrainforest.Manybirds,mammals,andreptileslivehere.TheWaoraniarehunter-gatherers.Theirlivesareconnectedtotherainforest.Theydonothavemuchcontactwiththeoutside world.
Waorani Territory
Amazon
Rainforest
Equator
Atlantic
Ocean
Pacific
Ocean
Ecuador
South
America
South
America
North
America
TheWaoraniliveintheAmazon rainforest.
Yet,theoutsideworldwantssomethingfromtheWaorani.Oilcompanieswanttheir land.
Thegovernmenttriedtosellofftheirland.TheWaoraniknewtheymustfighttokeep it.
