I am Joan Carling of the Igorot people, or “people of the mountain,” from northern Philippines. I work with the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), established in 1984 to promote human rights, peace, and sustainable development. CPA has been in partnership with The United Church of Canada through the Mission and Service Fund for more than a decade. Let me share some of the key challenges we face in protecting our way of life.

Indigenous peoples have always considered nature to be our source of life and identity. We have an obligation to protect and sustain our natural environment for future generations. Thus, we have earned the title of “original environmentalists.”

Our generation has witnessed the all-too-familiar imposition of Western development. Like Indigenous peoples in every corner of the world, we are being asked to sacrifice our land and resources in the name of development and modernization. The resulting hardships are many. I have to contend with bathing with only one pail of water; I must fetch water every time we need it for cooking, washing, and using the toilet. This is because much of the water supply where I live is directed to hotels and golf courses for tourists. Our tap water is unsafe to drink, so we need to buy mineral water or boil our drinking water for at least an hour, an unnecessary use of energy. My experiences are shared by millions of people, not because we lack water, but because our water is diverted or unsafe.

Please ask Canadian mining companies to care for the environment wherever they mine. When you take your warm shower, please remember my story and take some action to conserve water. I also hope you continue to support the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada, for through that fund my people’s concerns are given a voice.