
Past Events:
Our Land Our Future: featuring Shirley Krenak
Friday, 11 April 2025, 6:30–8:30 pm, The Brooklyn Museum, Iris and B Gerald, Cantor Auditorium, Brooklyn, NY 11238
WORDS BY THE JUNGLE JOURNAL TEAM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sofia Verzbolovskis
A reflection on our first community gathering of 2025 and the launch of OUR LAND, OUR FUTURE.
A Historic Evening at the Brooklyn Museum with the launch of “Our Land, Our Future” Series
On Friday, April 11, 2025, the Brooklyn Museum became the gathering ground for an extraordinary evening marking the launch of Our Land, Our Future—a new community conversation series amplifying climate and community leaders across Latin America. The event coincided with Earth Month and brought together activists, artists, and allies to honor the planet and those who protect it.
The night’s guests of honor, Shirley and Ryhún Krenak of the Krenak Nation, traveled from Minas Gerais, Brazil, to join this inaugural gathering. The evening opened with a spiritual invocation led by Shirley—a moment of deep reverence that grounded the audience and paid tribute to Indigenous nations across the Americas.



A Landmark Victory for the Krenak People
Before the formal program began, the room paused to recognize a milestone in the history of the Krenak people. Just days earlier, on April 8, 2025, a federal court in Brazil upheld all convictions related to atrocities committed against the Krenak during the country’s military dictatorship (1964–1985).
The court’s decision represents a watershed moment in the struggle for Indigenous rights in Brazil. It acknowledges decades of state violence, including forced labor, physical abuse, cultural suppression, and the destruction of sacred land. The ruling mandates a public apology, land restitution, and cultural reparations—offering long-overdue recognition and a step toward justice.


Art, Ancestry, and Environmental Memory
The program continued with a screening of Sons Que Curam (Sounds That Heal), a poignant film reflecting on the 2015 Mariana Dam collapse—one of Brazil’s worst environmental disasters, which devastated the sacred Doce River and deeply impacted the Krenak people.
Following the film, a powerful intergenerational conversation unfolded between Shirley and her son Ryhún, moderated by Our Land, Our Future founder Sara Lopez. Their dialogue wove together ancestral memory, personal testimony, and a forward-looking vision for healing and environmental stewardship. The evening closed with an open Q&A, inviting audience members to engage in a shared moment of reflection and community.




Media Dinner at Colonia Verde
Following the main program, we hosted a private media dinner to continue the evening in an intimate setting with storytellers, journalists, and community allies. It was a space for deeper conversation, shared reflections, and new connections. Set around a warm, communal table, guests were invited to continue the conversation over a family-style meal thoughtfully curated to reflect both local and Latin American flavors.

The dialogue sparked around the table reinforced the importance of platforms that uplift Indigenous voices and climate justice, and reminded us that storytelling—like activism—is most powerful when it’s collective.

The menu opened with bites like pão de queijo, boloños de yuca—a nod to Brazilian and pan-Latin culinary traditions. For the main course, achiote chicken and picanha steak were served alongside sides like baked baby eggplant & mole and herbed risotto, bringing together rich, earthy flavors rooted in seasonal ingredients. The meal ended on a sweet note with churro doughnuts and a velvety Mexican chocolate dipping sauce.

This intimate gathering also offered a special moment to recognize the generous sponsors who made Our Land, Our Future possible. Over candlelight and conversation, we shared our deepest thanks to those who believe in this work and help bring these stories to life.

More than just dinner our shared meal was a continuation of the evening’s spirit: a celebration of story, culture, and connection.

What’s Next
If you missed the event, the full conversation with Shirley and Ryhún Krenak will be available on YouTube beginning Earth Day, April 22.
This is just the beginning. Our Land, Our Future will continue with more events that elevate Indigenous leadership and community-rooted climate solutions across Latin America. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements—we look forward to gathering with you again soon.
With Gratitude
This event and the launch of Our Land, Our Future would not have been possible without the generous support of our partners and sponsors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to PANGAIA, NOPALERA, CEREMONIA, KRUD CACAO and LOISA for believing in the power of community, storytelling, and environmental justice.
Your commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices and climate action made this gathering not only possible but unforgettable.