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This profile highlights Aulani Wilhelm’s journey leading Nia Tero and the organization’s work partnering with Indigenous communities to protect lands, waters, and livelihoods around the world. It underscores Nia Tero’s growing global impact and why supporting Indigenous Peoples’ guardianship is essential to a resilient future for people and planet.

In this profile interview, Nia Tero CEO, 'Aulani Wilhelm, talks about the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ guardianship and Nia Tero’s support to Indigenous-led initiatives. "To get to the scale of impact the world needs, we need more organizations supporting Indigenous Peoples' guardianship", says 'Aulani.

The president of Brazil's National Indigenous Peoples Foundation (Funai), Joênia Wapichana, signed on March 25 the Detailed Identification and Delimitation Report of the Ararà Indigenous Territory – an important step in recognizing the territorial rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Baixo Jatapu, in the Wayamu territory. This represents Brazil's recognition of continuous Indigenous Peoples' guardianship and marks the beginning of a new stage in the demarcation process.

Announced by the Brazilian government during COP30, the decision to complete the process of final recognition of four Indigenous territories in Brazil will provide greater environmental protection and self-determination for the original peoples of the following areas: Kaxuyana-Tunayana, Uirapuru, Manoki, and Estação Parecis Indigenous lands. The most extensive of these by far is the Kaxuyana-Tunayana land demarcation, spanning over 2.1 million hectares.

During the UN Ocean Conference, the governments of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu announced their intention to create the Melanesian Ocean Reserve. The area is one of the world's most biodiverse marine regions. Protecting it will secure the economic and cultural vitality of hundreds of distinct Indigenous Peoples while furthering global climate, biodiversity, and ocean goals. 

On April 22, a special event parallel to the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) gathered Indigenous leaders from the Wayfinders Circle network to share experiences and discuss challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples worldwide.