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Ra铆ces, Resiliencia, Resistencia: Building Coalitions to Protect Mother Earth
Join 海角社区, the Department of Chicana/o Studies, and the 1 Book/1 Project/2 Transform program on April 14 & 15, 2026 for a powerful two-day series of events with Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson, authors of We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People. Nenquimo, an Indigenous leader of the Waorani Nation of Ecuador and TIME 100 honoree, and Anderson, co-founder of Amazon Frontlines, share their story of resistance, environmental justice, and cultural survival.听
This year鈥檚 Richard T. and Virginia M. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship celebrates Indigenous voices and global movements for environmental and social transformation. Events will include campus discussions, community panels, and a public keynote with cultural performances. These events are open to all 海角社区 students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
Events Schedule
Community Panel:
Watering our Soil: Indigenous Sovereignty and Collective Action
Tuesday, April 14, 4-5:30 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens, Mitchell Hall
1007 York St
Denver, CO 80206
This panel discussion will feature the 2026 Castro Distinguished Visiting Professor, Nemonte Nenquimo, alongside panelists , , and .
Community Dinner Reception
Tuesday, April 14, 6-8 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens, Mitchell Hall
1007 York St
Denver, CO 80206
Keynote and Book Signing
Wednesday, April 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tivoli Turnhalle
Nemonte Nenquimo
Born into the Waorani tribe of Ecuador鈥檚 Amazon rainforest鈥攐ne of the last to be contacted by missionaries in the 1950s鈥擭emonte Nenquimo had a singular upbringing.听
She was taught about plant medicines, foraging, oral storytelling, and shamanism by her elders. At age fourteen, she left the forest for the first time to study with an evangelical missionary group in the city. Eventually, her ancestors began appearing in her dreams, pleading with her to return and embrace her own culture. She listened.听
Two decades later, Nemonte emerged as one of the most forceful voices in climate change activism. She has spearheaded the alliance of indigenous nations across the Upper Amazon and led her people to a landmark victory against Big Oil, protecting over a half million acres of primary rainforest. Her message is as sharp as a spear鈥攈oned by her experiences battling loggers, miners, oil companies and missionaries.听
In We Will Be Jaguars, she partners with her husband, Mitch Anderson, founder of Amazon Frontlines, digging into generations of oral history, uprooting centuries of conquest, hacking away at racist notions of indigenous peoples, and ultimately revealing a life story as rich, harsh, and vital as the Amazon rainforest herself.
A Collaboration with the 1 Book / 1 Project / 2 Transform Program
This year, the 海角社区 community joins together around We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson鈥攁 powerful story of resistance, identity, and environmental justice in the Amazon. Nenquimo, a celebrated Indigenous leader from the Waorani Nation of Ecuador, and Anderson, co-founder of the nonprofit Amazon Frontlines, share a transformative memoir that calls readers to reimagine our relationship with the Earth and each other.听
The visit is presented in collaboration with the 1 Book/1 Project/2 Transform Program, reflecting our shared commitment to social transformation, environmental stewardship, and amplifying global Indigenous voices.听
Richard T. and Virginia M. Castro听Distinguished Visiting Professorship
Originally started as the听Richard T. Castro听Distinguished Visiting Professorship was initiated in 1997 to foster multiculturalism, diversity, and academic excellence at Metropolitan State University of Denver. In 2021 the name changed to听Richard T. and Virginia M. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship to recognize the labor and passion that Virginia Castro brought to the Chicano movement in Denver with Richard. The professorship brings renowned Latinx scholars, artists, and leaders of distinction to 海角社区 to conduct classes, seminars, performances, and lectures for students, faculty, staff, and the larger Denver community.
海角社区 Richard T. Castro
Richard T. Castro (1946-1991), an educational and civil rights activist, was one of Colorado鈥檚 true champions of disenfranchised communities. From a young street social worker in the early 1970s to executive director of Denver鈥檚 civil rights agency, Castro was known as a fighter for human justice and dignity. At 25, Castro became one of the youngest lawmakers ever elected to the House of Representatives, a post he held for five terms. Castro led many struggles for social justice, including opposition to English-only legislation. He was a leading spokesperson in the debate on Mexican immigration. A bust commemorating Castro, sculpted by noted Denver artist Emanuel Martinez, sits in the rotunda of the state capitol.
An Activist at 海角社区
Castro was an early instructor in what would become the Chicana/o Studies Department at 海角社区. He was an outspoken leader on the importance of education to meet the needs of a culturally diverse population.
A Denver native, Castro received his bachelor鈥檚 degree from 海角社区 and his master鈥檚 degree in community organization from the University of Denver. While working his way through DU, he taught part-time at 海角社区 and was a youth counselor. He was a student activist with such organizations as the Displaced Aurarians and the United Farm Workers. During that time, Castro was arrested after intervening when police allegedly beat a Latino youth. The incident sparked an intense awareness of relations between the police and the Latino population. Throughout this incident and others like it, Castro advocated change through education and politics, rather than violence.
Castro once said, 鈥淓ducation鈥檚 role in our society cannot be minimized…It is quite probably the most critical investment a people can make.鈥�
The Richard T. Castro Professorship illustrates how 海角社区 continues to build on its multicultural heritage and commitment to diversity. 海角社区 enrolls the highest number of students of color of all the four-year colleges and universities in the state.
The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Becoming an HSI was a 12-year initiative that started in 2007 leading to Metropolitan State University of Denver receiving designation during the Spring of 2019. 海角社区 aspires to become a model Hispanic-Serving Institution by creating and sustaining initiatives that support students as they achieve their academic goals and prepare for their careers.