Walls of Color: Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
By: Molly Caccia
Tags: Activism, Environmentalism, Indigenous People, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Earth Guardians

WE PRISM is an employee resource group for WE and Codeword employees, and it’s designed to create a diverse and inclusive environment.

Several times each year, WE PRISM hosts what’s called “Walls of Color,” our way of honoring known and unknown voices in all communities of color. Our team put together a few Walls of Color entries for Native American Heritage Month, and we hope you find them as inspirational as we do.

You can also read about Madonna Thunder Hawk, Winona LaDuke, and Maria Tallchief.

Earth Guardian

Born in 2000 to activist parents in Boulder, Colorado, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez focuses on the often overlooked human impact of climate change, and views climate justice as a lens through which we can view every other issue, from indigenous rights to racial, social, and economic justice. A descendant of the indigenous Mexican Meshika people, he attributes much of his thinking to the tribe’s belief in the dignity of nature, which taught him a deep respect for the environment and its intricate systems.

Martinez has always been a changemaker, taking action on everything from fracking and pesticides to industrial agriculture and fossil fuels. Ever since he yelled “all life is sacred!” onstage at a climate rally when he was six, he’s been devoted to fighting climate change, standing up for environmental and social justice, and connecting us to a few core beliefs. First, that nature has intrinsic value. And second, that young people can make a difference.

In his two decades of life, Martinez has already made an inspiring impact. By age nine, he organized his first protest. At 13, he received the 2013 United States Volunteer Service Award from President Obama and was the youngest of 24 national changemakers chosen to serve on the President’s youth council. By 15, he’d spoken to the General Assembly at the United Nations on multiple occasions, as well as at the Rio +20 United Nations Summit.

He’s given three TED Talks, and in 2017, he published his first book, “We Rise — The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement that Restores the Planet.” On top of these achievements (and there are many more), Martinez has been featured in countless publications and media outlets as a prolific indigenous youth activist who will change the world.

“I stand before you representing my entire generation … We need you to take action. We are all indigenous to this earth.” — Martinez to the United Nations

Martinez has also worked with his peers to file lawsuits against the US Federal government for failing to combat — and knowingly contributing to — the climate crisis. And you can always find him on the front lines of major environmental protests.

He’s also Youth Director of Earth Guardians, a worldwide conservation organization built to inspire and train diverse youth to be effective leaders in the environmental, climate, and social justice movements. Here, Martinez uses art, music, storytelling, and civic action to mobilize young people in the fight to protect our planet. His hip-hop tracks, like “Speak for the Trees” and “El Cielo,” draw attention to specific issues. And with a large following on social media, he’s able to spread his message wider and connect with young people who want to — and can — make a difference.

Martinez has a bright future ahead of him. His impact has only just started, and it’s certain he’ll continue on as a voice of his generation and the indigenous community for years to come.