In photo Christine Kandie.
Endorois indigenous community leader Christine Kandie in her home village on the slopes of Lake Bogoria in Kenya. Photo: Christine Kandie.

Interview with Christine Kandie: The Underdog’s Path to Community Leader

Sa 25.5.2024 17.05-17.30
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Is produced by

Siemenpuu Foundation

Kenya’s Endorois indigenous people have been displaced by tourism and are now threatened by climate change. Award-winning human rights defender Christine Kandie leads Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (EIWEN), an organisation that promotes rights for the Endorois and was founded by women. How did a girl with a disability grow up to become a civil influencer defending the rights of minorities? How do the Endorois support each other, and where does their courage stem from?

Kandie will be interviewed by Sámi civil activist Janne Hirvasvuopio.

The programme will be in English. The programme will be available on-site at the Speaker’s stage and through live stream on the Festival website. After the programme, there will be an opportunity to meet the speakers in Lämpiö next to Speaker’s stage.

Land connects us to our livelihoods, our wellness, and to our previous ancestors. That is why we have courage to demand our land tenure rights from the government

Christine Kandie

Christine Kandie

Christine Kandie is a member of the Endorois community and the Executive Director of the Endorois Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (EIWEN) from Kenya. Founded in 2016, EIWEN serves as an advocacy platform for the rights of Endorois women, girls, and individuals with disabilities. Kandien has been awarded in 2018 with the Kenyan Human Rights Defender Award and in 2021 with the National Gender and Equality Commission Award.

Janne Hirvasvuopio

Janne Hirvasvuopio is Queer Sámi, Member of the Sámi Parliament of Finland and a civil activist.