Current UNPFII Members

Ms. Amina Amharech (Morocco)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

Amina Amharech is an Indigenous rights advocate and global voice for Indigenous Peoples, rooted in the Amazigh Nation of North Africa. She brings an international, national and community perspective to her work advancing Indigenous justice, dignity, and cultural integrity through education, art, and poetry. Ms. Amharech is a founding member of the Indigenous Amazigh Network AZUL and Acal El Hajeb. She currently serves as the first elected Indigenous representative to the Global Council of the International Land Coalition, and is a member of the Indigenous Determinant of Health Alliance and the Feminist Land Platform. Former fellow of the OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship Programme, she fosters ancestral knowledge, the empowerment of Indigenous women, and the transformation of Indigenous narratives, drawing upon UNDRIP and relevant UN mechanisms to strengthen Indigenous participation and self-determination.

Mr. Valts Ernštreits (Republic of Latvia)

Nominated by Governments

Dr. Valts Ernštreits is one of only twenty fluent speakers of Livonian. A highly respected linguist, researcher, and cultural advocate, he has worked for more than three decades to preserve and revitalise the Livonian language and culture. He is the founder and director of the Livonian Institute at the University of Latvia, leading initiatives in research, education, digital innovation, and revitalisation for endangered languages. A poet and artist, Dr. Ernštreits also promotes modern Livonian culture internationally and serves as co-chair of the Ad-Hoc Group on Digital Equality and Domains for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

Ms. Patricia Gualinga Montalvo (Ecuador)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

Patricia Gualinga is a defender of human and land rights from the Kichwa People of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Throughout her life, Patricia has dedicated herself to defending the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples, women, and nature from violations caused mainly by oil exploration and extractive activities. She is also one of the ethical judges of the Rights of Nature Tribunal. She has received several international recognitions for her courage and leadership. In 2023, she wrote the children's book “Con la Cabeza en alto”.

Ms. Brenda Gunn (Canada)

Nominated by Governments

Brenda Gunn is Red River Métis, a citizen of Manitoba Métis Federation. She is a Professor of Law, University of Manitoba, Canada. She has a B.A. (Manitoba), a J.D. (Toronto) and an LL.M. in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy (Arizona). Brenda also worked at a community legal clinic in Rabinal, Guatemala on a case of genocide. She has worked with First Nations on Aboriginal and treaty rights issues. She combines academic research and activism to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ inherent rights as determined by their own legal traditions. Her current research focuses on implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Ms. Aili Keskitalo (Norway)

Nominated by Governments

Aili Keskitalo has dedicated her career to promoting the rights, cultures, and languages of Indigenous Peoples, both in Sápmi and internationally. As former President of the Sámi Parliament in Norway, she worked to strengthen Sámi self-determination and inclusion in national and global policymaking. As a human rights advocate she has highlighted the links between Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and climate justice. Aili has collaborated with governments, civil society, and the United Nations to advance equality and participation. She lives with her family in Guovdageaidnu on the Norwegian side of Sápmi.

Ms. Aluki Kotierk (Canada)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

Aluki is driven by her passion to empower and improve the lives of Inuit. She is keen on how Inuit language and culture can be better incorporated into the way programs and services are designed and delivered in Nunavut. Aluki is a former co-chair representing Indigenous People’s Organizations on the Global Task Force for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) 2022-2032. After earning her master’s in Native and Canadian Studies at Trent University, Aluki worked for various Inuit organizations including Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (now known as Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami), and Nunavut Sivuniksavut. She also held management and Deputy Minister roles within the Government of Nunavut and Office of the Languages Commissioner. Aluki was the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) from 2016 to 2024.

Ms. Nan Li (China)

Nominated by Governments

Ms. Li holds a Master's degree in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. Since the 1990s, she has worked in the Foreign Service, taking responsibilities for a diverse range of multilateral affairs, including human rights, economic and social development, counter-terrorism, and regional cooperation, both at headquarters and overseas missions. Her engagement with Indigenous issues dates back to the 2000s, when she worked as an assistant to the first Chinese member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and played a part in organizing a pre-session of the Forum in China. Ms. Li currently serves as Counselor in the Department of International Organizations and Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Suleiman Mamutov (Ukraine)  

Nominated by Governments

Suleiman Mamutov is an expert in international humanitarian and human rights law, with over a decade of experience in legal analysis, policy development, and advocacy. A UNPFII Member since 2023, he was twice elected Rapporteur and co-authored the Guiding Principles for the Implementation of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to Autonomy and Self-Government. He serves as Senior Legal Counsel at Amnesty International Ukraine and has held roles with the OSCE HCNM, UNDP, and the Danish Refugee Council. He holds a Master’s in International Law and a certification in Government Relations from the Kyiv School of Economics.

Ms. Anne Chantal Nama (Cameroon)

Nominated by Governments

Mrs Anne Chantal Nama is a diplomat, Minister Plenipotentiary Extraordinary, with over 20 years of experience in multilateral diplomacy, treaty negotiation, and human rights policy experience at the Ministry of External Relations in Cameroon. For over 10 years, she was the point person for the country delegations to the UN General Assembly’s negotiations and concertation, of which the UN Sustainable Development Goals and RIO+20.  Respect for the human rights of all groups of population has been the guiding principle throughout Ms Nama's distinguished career, and she has always prioritized this above all other considerations, as the foundation for human development.

Ms. Lea Nicholas-Mackenzie (Canada)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie is a proud member of the Wəlastəkwey (Maliseet Nation) at Nekwətkok (Tobique) in New Brunswick, Canada, with decades of experience in international development and the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. She is the founder of LNM Indigenous Consulting, a member of the Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, an Indigenous Resident Fellow at the Mastercard Foundation, a founding member and co-chair of the Honouring Nations Canada Circle of Advisors at Fulbright Canada, and a member of the board at Kinvia (formerly Canadian Feed the Children). She holds a BA in French Language and Linguistics and an MA in Leadership and Training.

Mr. Rodrigo Eduardo Paillalef Monnard (Chile)  

Nominated by Governments

Paillalef is a lawyer and a member of the Mapuche community. He serves as a senior advisor on Indigenous affairs at the de la Fundación Centro Vincular, affiliated with the Department of Commercial Engineering at the Federico Santa María Technical University in Chile, where he also conducts international consulting. He has also worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in their regional office for South America. His distinguished career includes representing the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean (FILAC) in Geneva, as well as working with the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva on matters of business and human rights. Additionally, he served as an attaché at the Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. Paillalef is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Governance and Human Rights at the Faculty of Law at the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Mr. Edward Porokwa (Tanzania)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

Edward Porokwa is a lawyer and Practicing Advocate in Courts of Tanzania with Bachelor of Laws (LLB, Honours) from the University of Dar es Salaam and Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from ESAMI / Maastricht School of Management. He is the Executive Director of Pastoralists Indigenous NGOs Forum (PINGOs Forum), an umbrella organization for Indigenous Peoples in Tanzania. He has over 25 years’ experience working with Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and human rights in Africa linked to regional and international Indigenous Peoples’ networks. His work spans human rights advocacy, policy analysis, constitutional issues, climate change. He advocates especially for land rights, recognition of Indigenous Peoples in law and policy, cultural preservation, protection of ancestral lands and traditions. He has consistently been advocating against violation of rights of pastoralist and hunter‑gatherer communities.

Ms. Emma Rawson-Te Patu (New Zealand)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations and Director of ManuKahu Associates, Indigenous Consultancy in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Emma Rawson-Te Patu is a Researcher/Trainer and Facilitator. Emma has a Master of Philosophy with Honors (First Class). She specializes in addressing Institutional Racism using Indigenous frameworks for public health. Emma consults with the New Zealand Human Rights Commission and will soon be the Public Health Equity Lead at Whakauae Research Services based in Whanganui. Emma is the current President of the WFPHA. She will pursue a doctorate by investigating and developing a global framework for transformational public health to eradicate inequities founded on Indigenous knowledge values and Human Rights.

Ms. Valentina Sovkina (Russian Federation)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

Valentina Sovkina grew up in a family of reindeer herders and fishermen. With more than 30 years of experience working as an advocate for the Sami people, Ms. Sovkina specialises in child education and psychology. She is a member of the international organisation "Sami Women's Forum" and was elected as a representative in the rural settlement of Lovozero. For a number of years, Ms. Sovkina has been elected as a member of the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples of the Barents Euro-Arctic Region and participates in the activities of the Indigenous Peoples' Coalition on Food Systems. She is currently working to preserve and develop the Sami language, culture and traditions. Ms. Sovkina's priorities are the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the preservation of their traditional way of life, language and culture.

Ms. Jennifer Tauli Corpuz (Philippines)

Nominated by Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations

Jennifer Tauli Corpuz is from the Kankana-ey Igorot Indigenous People of Mountain Province in the Philippines, and a lawyer by profession. She is passionate about designing and implementing mentorship programs for the next generation of Indigenous leaders. Tauli Corpuz graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law and obtained her Master of Laws (Ll.M.) from the Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy (IPLP) Program of The University of Arizona. She was the 2012 Indigenous Intellectual Property Fellow at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and since then has been an active participant in the WIPO IGC negotiations on the protection of traditional knowledge, including in the diplomatic conference that led to the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, the first WIPO Treaty regarding traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. She has been involved as negotiator and expert for the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) since 2005, representing Indigenous Peoples at the negotiations leading to the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the historic establishment of a Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and other provisions of the CBD relevant for Indigenous Peoples.

Mr. Diego A. Tituaña Matango (Ecuador)

Nominated by Governments

Diego A. Tituaña, from the Kichwa Otavalo community, is a career diplomat in the Ecuadorian Foreign Service since 2012. He has served in multilateral, bilateral, and consular roles, advancing initiatives on Indigenous Peoples’ rights, human rights, sustainable development, and international cooperation. From 2014 to 2019, he facilitated negotiations for the UN General Assembly resolution on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He later served as Deputy Chief of Mission/Consul in the Dominican Republic and now works in the cabinet of the Vice Ministry of International Cooperation. Diego is a Yale World Fellow, a Stanford Draper Hills Fellow, and a Ph.D. candidate in Human Rights.