Indigenous leaders from Alaska and New Zealand signed two historic declarations, granting legal personhood to whales and advocating for indigenous knowledge on climate change and environmental protection.

Indigenous leaders, including Marissa Merculieff from the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, and New Zealand's Maori King, Kiingi Tuheitia, have signed two historic declarations at Turangawaewae Marae, aiming to protect whales and utilize ancestral knowledge for future generations' betterment. The He Whakaputanga Moana Declaration grants legal personhood to whales and outlines a protection plan, emphasizing marine protected areas, dynamic rāhui (customary restrictions), and integrating Indigenous knowledge with science. The Tuurama Ariki Declaration focuses on advocating for indigenous knowledge on issues like climate change, environmental protection, economic development, and globalization.

August 20, 2024
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