Biography
Elizabeth Virkina Swanson Andi is a member of the Santu Urku Kichwa community on the Napo River in the Ecuadorian Amazon. She is a kichwa artist, environmental scientist, and storyteller inspired by the land and people who shaped her.
In the Kichwa language there are three words that center Elizabeth’s work— “iyarina” meaning to think by looking at the land and remembering what happened there. “llakichina” meaning to feel empathy, sorrow, and love all at once. & finally “kuyana” that act of reciprocity and giving back. When she looks at the land she not only thinks about what happened there during her lifetime but that of her mother’s and grandmother’s. As she remembers she feels great “llaki” leading her to the action of “kuyana”
Throughout generations much has changed—Her grandparents are kichwa monolingual speakers and when they were young there was an abundance of wildlife, clear streams, and forests. Today her community faces language loss, forest degradation, food and water insecurity. The lives of all those who reside in the Amazon are at risk, and that's why she is dedicated to protecting her home and amplifying the voices of her people. For the land, for cultural survival, for a future filled with indigenous joy—Allpamanda, kawsaymanda hatarishun. Runa yachayra, ruku kawsayra ñaupakma apashun.
If Not Us Then Who?
Amplifying voices of indigenous peoples and communities through film distribution.
Social Media & Distributions Officer
June 2021- present
Emerging Filmmaker Development Program
June 2021- present
27 indigenous filmmakers from 18 equatorial indigenous communities come together to share experiences, learn from each other, and work on their personal short film
ACEER Conservation Fellow
Conservation Fellow
June 2021 - present
Project involves mixing art and science with indigenous thinking to communicate bio-cultural knowledge.
Iyarina Andes & Amazon Field School
President
June 2018 - present
Family business with 20 + years creating jobs and alternatives forms of income for indigenous communities. Dedicated to the conservation of forests and preservation of indigenous languages and culture.
National Geographic Funded Research in the
Ecuadorian Amazon
Fall 2019
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Worked in partnership with the Waorani Nation and two researchers. Served as the project coordinator, translator, research assistant, and indigenous liaison.
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Worked as a field assistant to Prof. William Balée of Tulane University on a National Geographic funded project titled “Historical Ecology of Waorani Ridgetops, Ecuadorian Amazon”. My work in data collection there required rigorous consistency as well as physical endurance working long hours under difficult Amazonian forest conditions.
Water Conservation Indigenous Liaison
Peruvian Amazon Summer 2019
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Accompanied John Sabo, Arizona State University’s lead water policy expert and Director of Future H20, to the Peruvian Amazon to meet with Bora indigenous community members to explore project collaborations on the future of rivers in the Amazon basin. My role was to serve as a communications liaison between scientists and the community.
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Networked with Peruvian Amazonian Conservation Leaders.
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Assited Tod Swanson (linguist, anthropologist, and Director of Iyarina) to record and transcribe videos.
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Goal is to create a database of traditional indigenous storytelling, singing, and ecological knowledge.
Social Relation to Nation | Recording Voices of the Amazon
Ecuadorian Amazon Summer 2018/2019
Inti Anka Taripay
Facilitate kichwa language courses, meetings, and webinars.
Kichwa Language Committee
November 2020 - Present
Communications Committee
November 2020 - Present
Graffic designing, event planning, communication strategy.
WA-YA Outdoor School
Outdoor Instructor
June – September 2020 (Olympia, WA)
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Spent 10 weeks weaving together outdoor survival, science, and indigenous culture/perspective to provide youth an opportunity to connect with nature. We created a safe and exceptional learning experience during the times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Wrote curriculum, assisted with program logistics, created a safe learning environment, followed COVID-19 guidelines.
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Worked with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Indigenous Storytellers, Tribal Leaders, Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Center, Kayaking trip instructor, board members.
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Promoted outdoor education to parents and potential campers.
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Main point of contact for Spanish speaking parents and children.
Nature Bridge Yosemite
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Inspired kids from all backgrounds to spend time outdoors and connect to nature while teaching about Yosemite’s geological landscape, watershed, cultural history, and ecology. Grades 6-12. Programs vary from 2-5 days. Activities include day hikes, science investigations, skiing, evening programs, backpacking etc.
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Wrote curriculum: Yosemite’s geological landscape, watershed, cultural history, and ecology.
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Led day hikes, science investigations, evening programs, and backpacking trips.
Environmental Science Educator
December – March 2020 (El Portal, CA)
Desert Botanical Garden
Environmental Science Educator
December – March 2020 (El Portal, CA)
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Facilitated learning about the Sonoran Desert environment through inquiry-based teaching and activities. Grades k-8.
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Taught S.T.E.A.M based programs in the Sonoran Desert.
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Organized and handled large school groups.
NASA Develop National Program
Researcher
Spring 2019
Analyzed precipitation, snow cover, and soil moisture using NASA Earth Observations in the Greater Toronto Area to improve flood preparedness for coastal communities. Created a Land Classification map and a Google Earth Engine tool with three other participants. Partnered with the City of Toronto, City of Mississauga, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, and Credit Valley Conservation.
Researcher
Fall 2018
Used NASA Earth Observations to analyze Land Surface Temperature and Tree Canopy Cover in order to mitigate the Urban Heat Island effects in Tempe Arizona. Created a time series map and a land classification map in a team with three other participants.