NAYLA AZMI

Nayla Azmi is a Batak woman born and raised on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Nayla is a storyteller, educator, translator and conservationist. She has been active in the conservation space for the past 7 years, mainly in elephant and orangutan conservation. She holds a Master of English literature. She is passionate about reclaiming her Indigenous roots and culture, and about sharing her knowledge with others. She is the founder of NURAGA BHUMI Institute, which she created during her time at Reclaim Power. NURAGA BHUMI Institute is an Indigenous women-led initiative based in Sumatra that helps Indigenous women, queer communities and other under representative people to engage in forest conservation safely. Our heritage is the forest. We believe it is our obligation and our mission as Indigenous women to live in reciprocity with our relatives who are the forest, the water, the animals, human beings, the sun, the moon and the soil. We envision an indigenized, inclusive and equal world that values Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous ways of being, and Indigenous guardianship in addressing conservation and climate issues. Through our various programs, we are providing opportunities, experiences, and education that empower Indigenous women to be active participants in conservation, and to help make their own paths and contributions in protecting Mother Earth.