Leonardo DiCaprio Donates 3.4M to Ecuadorian Indigenous Groups
Actor and global activist Leonardo DiCaprio has donated $3.4 million to help the people of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
According to El Universo, the donation, part of a $15 million effort to help organizations working on environmental causes around the world, will benefit two main causes in Ecuador: ClearWater, which has continuously worked to help those affected by the Chevron oil disaster, and Ceibo Alliance, which helps indigenous groups protect their land, water and culture.
The financial contribution will be particularly beneficial to four indigenous tribes: the Cofanes, Secoyas, Sionas, and Huaoranis. The founder and executive director of ClearWater, Mitch Anderson, also discussed how DiCaprio's foundation is supporting their cause.
“This support is poised to protect millions of acres of tropical rain forest by empowering and strengthening the indigenous nationalities to fend off the extractive industries," he said.
In a statement on the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation website, the actor explained that the destruction of our world has been ignored for far too long and requires immediate attention.
“I am proud to support these organizations who are working to solve humankind’s greatest challenge," he added.
During his 2016 Golden Globes acceptance speech for Best Actor in a Drama for "The Revenant," DiCaprio dedicated his win to indigenous groups around the globe and expressed the need to protect their lands and cultures.
“It is time that we recognize your history and that we protect your indigenous lands from corporate interests and people that are out there to exploit them," he said. "It is time that we heard your voice and protected this planet for future generations.”
The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation website includes an entire list of the causes benefiting from DiCaprio's $15 million donation.
Watch DiCaprio's 2016 Golden Globe speech below.
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