Indigenous Leaders Night at The Plant Register

Date and Time:
Tue, Oct 6, 2026; 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM  (Eastern)

Organized By: Orange-Chatham Group

Location: 220 Lorax Ln, Pittsboro, NC 27312, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
John Rees
   jreesnc@gmail.com
   (919) 599-0502

Join us at The Plant for an extraordinary evening of storytelling, cultural connection, and environmental stewardship. Featuring special guests Chumpi Washikiat and Godi Godar, this event explores how global forest guardians and grassroots advocates are uniting to protect sacred lands and build a sustainable future.

Speakers:
Chumpi Washikiat
A respected local leader, tour guide, and founding team member of the pioneer, community-based ecotourism Kapawi Ecolodge, located deep in Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest in the Achuar territory, near the Peruvian border.

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship and Indigenous leadership, Chumpi Washikiat was given the incredible opportunity to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil and ChangeNow Conference in Paris. His participation helped bring Achuar perspectives and Amazonian Indigenous voices to the global stage, a crucial step toward protecting the rainforest and the rights of its peoples.


Godi Godar Moteke Molanga
From the Bantu Ntomba community, Godi grew up in the village of Ikoko Bonginda, at the edge of Lake Tumba in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As a grandson of the chief, he was next in line to lead, but a vivid boyhood vision foretold him leaving his home, traveling to an unknown land, and one day returning to support and protect his people.

For many years, Godi and volunteers have worked tirelessly to protect land rights, wildlife, clean water, and carbon rich rainforests. Their success has not only protected the health of people, animals, and ecosystems, but also proven the success of community-based anti-poverty initiatives to the DRC government.