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‘Under the Pala Pala’: Special Edition Episode
In this special edition episode, six national marine sanctuary advocates came together for a storytelling event hosted by the Center for American Progress and the National Ocean Protection Coalition at the fifth International Marine Protected Area Congress in Vancouver, Canada, to talk Indigenous-led conservation.
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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. This special edition episode highlights a storytelling event hosted by the Center for American Progress and the National Ocean Protection Coalition, where Chairwoman Violet Sage Walker of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council; Dr. Kelsey Leonard of the Shinnecock Nation; Sol Kaho’ohalahala and Hoku Ka’aekuahiwi from Hawai’i; and Destiny Bristol Kushin and Dr. Lauren Devine from the Aleut Community of Saint Paul Island, joined CAP’s Angelo Villagomez to discuss how community-led conservation and Indigenous-led conservation plays out in their advocacy for national marine sanctuaries.
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Madalyn Reagan
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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.
Explore The Series
Under the Pala Pala
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.
