Gringo Chief of the Cofan Indians Talks Interconnectedness

This is an Archive of a Past Event

Join us in welcoming Randy Borman, a TEDx Talk presenter, to Stanford University!

About Randy

According to a Cofan Indian, the body of Randy Borman, is gringo, but his heart is Cofan. Randy was a baby when his parents, American missionaries, moved to the Ecuadorian rainforest to live among the Cofan Indians and translate the Bible into their language. Today he is Chief of the tribe.

From Randy

"We are all interconnected- far more than just by the internet. Water, air, climate, carbon, all are world wide phenomena and part of all of us.  But its usually so overwhelming that we can't get a grasp on it.  What can I do that will make a difference.

  
Our rainforest is THE hotspot for the mechanisms which forests do best, scrubbing the air, filtering and recycling the water, starting and maintaining normal climate, and sequestering excess carbon from the atmosphere.  Its effects on every corner of the globe are subtle but multiple.   However, short term interests would like to exploit gold, oil, copper, and the agricultural potential of the area we protect.  The battle is constant.  


Starting out as social justice/indigenous rights work, my work focused on recovering and protecting Cofan lands in Ecuador, but grew in to something much bigger, as we became aware that it wasn't just about saving an indigenous culture, or even the biodiversity or forests, but about saving the entire world as we realized our forest- one million acres of incredible ecosystems- was necessary not just for us but for everyone.    We want you on board with us.  This is a real place and a real situation."


We welcome you to join us on Thursday, May 22nd in the Outdoor Center to learn more about the Cofan Indians and how the rainforest plays a part in all of our lives, all around the world.  The talk will last about 30 min with 15-20 minutes of questions after.