‘Under the Pala Pala’: Episode 4
In episode 4 of “Under The Pala Pala,” Angelo Villagomez from the Center for American Progress talks about what it’s like for Natives to work for green nongovernmental organizations in Washington, D.C., with Michaela Pavlat from the National Parks Conservation Association and Javan Santos from The Climate Initiative.
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A “pala pala” is a small structure in Chamorro culture that is used as shelter from the sun and rain. There is usually one on a farm or ranch, and after working all day, people come in for lunch to share conversations and laughs. “Under the Pala Pala” is a video series that brings together Indigenous ocean advocates to discuss front-line conservation efforts across the United States. The fourth episode explores why it is important for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to have Native staff and explores how green NGOs can attract and retain Native talent to work in conservation.
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Conservation Policy
We work to protect our lands, waters, ocean, and wildlife to address the linked climate and biodiversity crises. This work helps to ensure that all people can access and benefit from nature and that conservation and climate investments build a resilient, just, and inclusive economy.
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Under the Pala Pala
In this video series, Indigenous advocates join Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Angelo Villagomez to discuss front-line conservation efforts across the United States. A “pala pala” is a small structure in Chamorro culture that is used as shelter from the sun and rain. There is usually one on a farm or ranch, and after working all day, people come in for lunch to share conversations and laughs. Season 1 focused on six themes of Indigenous-led conservation: identity, knowledge, values, responsibility, advocacy, and allyship.