1 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: Hey, this is Annie and Samantha and welcome to Stephane 2 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: never told you a protection of I Heart Radio. And 3 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:25,639 Speaker 1: welcome again to another edition of Activists around the World. Yeah, yeah, okay, 4 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 1: thank you. I feel like it's time we should collap right. 5 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:31,800 Speaker 1: Um today we are talking bees, y'all. Well, not just 6 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:35,479 Speaker 1: completely about bees, but be so Anie, I know, I 7 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:37,840 Speaker 1: need to know what do you know about bees? Telling 8 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 1: me all about him? I love bees. I absolutely love bees. 9 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 1: Obviously you've seen my bee pillow Pez. Yes, of course Ruby, 10 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: which is precious to me. But I uh, very early 11 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:56,640 Speaker 1: in my career was Savor the other podcast I do, 12 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: which was my first time hosting a podcast. We did 13 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 1: a mini series on bees, and we did a video 14 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:07,240 Speaker 1: mini series on bees. Um and so we talked to 15 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: like a meat guy and we talked to there's a 16 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: hotel in Atlanta, the HIGHERT Regency that has rescue bees 17 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 1: on the top of their hotel. Um. And I just 18 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: love bees. I think they're amazing. What they do is 19 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 1: fantastic and scientifically like day, bees are cool. Bees are 20 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:37,680 Speaker 1: objectively cool, and we need the bees. Yeah okay, so 21 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: I knew you as of good information about bees. We 22 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:43,680 Speaker 1: all know the bees are important and they're very necessary. 23 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,959 Speaker 1: And I love good honey so and we love it 24 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: locally sourced and apparently it could help you with allergies. Yes, 25 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:54,600 Speaker 1: and there are specific two regions are specific types of bees, 26 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 1: two regions. Um and I think that's very important to say, 27 00:01:57,080 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 1: because we're gonna talk about that because today we're talking 28 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 1: about behe environmentalist and environmental Mayan activist, Lady Paige, who 29 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,000 Speaker 1: is a leader, a fighter, and a fierce advocate for 30 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 1: a community. So she was born and raised in Hope 31 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: el Chin in the Campachy state of Mexico, and Paige 32 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: has continuing on her ancestral legacy of beekeeping, which was 33 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 1: something that's been a part of her Mayan culture which 34 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: goes back like thousands of years, like three thousand years 35 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 1: with the specific bees. But that legacy was threatened not 36 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:34,639 Speaker 1: too long ago thanks to big industry. In two thousand, 37 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 1: a company called Mansato, which is owned by Bear, started 38 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:43,839 Speaker 1: growing an experimental genetically modified soybean in that area. As 39 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 1: in fact, industrial agriculture has some of the highest rates 40 00:02:47,639 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: of deforestation in Mexico, taking over ninety four thousand acres 41 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: and destroying the forest and taking over some of the 42 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,840 Speaker 1: Mayan lands, and not surprisingly, these crops affected the communities 43 00:03:00,040 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 1: and land, whether it was polluting the purity of the 44 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 1: honey that was being produced or causing issues linked to 45 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:11,080 Speaker 1: birth defects and miscarriages due to the pesticides and chemicals 46 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: used to help modify the story beans, which was engineered 47 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 1: to be round up resistant, right, and we're talking about 48 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: round up. We're talking about that actual UH pesticide that 49 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 1: is so common today that they create. They're trying to 50 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 1: create this experimental soybee. We're just causing a lot of havoc. 51 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: And like a leader, Page was not having it um 52 00:03:33,240 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 1: and specifically about the bees. She said, quote, the little 53 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: bees can't defend themselves, they can't defend their rights, but 54 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 1: we can. Mayans have worked for generations to preserve bees. 55 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:45,960 Speaker 1: We have a very important relationship with the bees. Our 56 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 1: cultural identity is, let's say, based on the care and 57 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:52,560 Speaker 1: conservation of bees. We have real lifed that to produce 58 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 1: our food, we must protect the bees. We need bees 59 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: to protect our medicinal plants. That's why the Mayans have 60 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:01,000 Speaker 1: a very important relationship with our bees. And I think 61 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 1: it's very important that we understand how significant UH species 62 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 1: can be, and of course there is a specific species 63 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: that they they use, which is not typically common anywhere else. 64 00:04:11,480 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: I didn't even try to say the official term. You 65 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: can look it up, but it was very specific to 66 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:22,280 Speaker 1: their land and their community. And uh, seeing the damages 67 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: that the companies were causing her community and her land, 68 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: and she took action. She not only started nonprofits to 69 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:33,720 Speaker 1: come together to fight such as sin turns equals which 70 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: means without GMOs or and I'm sorry if I'm saying 71 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: this wrong, Moosch kambal Or Campbell Coalition and the collective 72 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 1: Epiccola the Lost Chains, but she also was able to 73 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:47,479 Speaker 1: get help from academic institutes to document the impacts of 74 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 1: the GM or the genetically modified soybean h to the 75 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 1: honey and the environment and to the community. And she 76 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: was able to get the evidence to show the harm 77 00:04:56,520 --> 00:04:58,679 Speaker 1: it was caused, and not only in their production of honey, 78 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,240 Speaker 1: but to the water and the livelihoods of the people. 79 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 1: She and the organizations filed a lawsuit against Monstatto and 80 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: the government to stop this damaging practice. Of course, it 81 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:14,160 Speaker 1: wasn't just that simple. Pati and the coalition started educational 82 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 1: and awareness programs around the communities created workshops for others 83 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:24,040 Speaker 1: to exchange information and brainstorm in the specific activism, and 84 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:27,880 Speaker 1: they launched petitions in protests with around two thousand participants, 85 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:33,560 Speaker 1: and in fifteen, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in favor 86 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:37,280 Speaker 1: of the indigenous community stating that the government must consult 87 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 1: the communities before the GM soybeans can be planted, which 88 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: quickly revoked the monstatto permits and planting, and later in seventeen, 89 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:52,719 Speaker 1: Mexico's Food and Agricultural Services revoked the permit altogether, which 90 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 1: was the first time the government took official action and 91 00:05:56,240 --> 00:06:01,160 Speaker 1: protecting the environment and indigenous community from GM crops right 92 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:04,240 Speaker 1: and Patient her crew have been a huge example for 93 00:06:04,279 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 1: others seeking to protect their lands similarly. Um In one report, 94 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 1: after the company Monsano lost their case, one of the 95 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:13,279 Speaker 1: representative commented that they could not believe that such a 96 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 1: small woman, referring to Page, was able to beat them, 97 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,680 Speaker 1: so it was quite obviously they're like what. Page has 98 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 1: continued to advocate for our community and for other Indigenous 99 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: communities around her. She is a member of an all 100 00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:29,039 Speaker 1: Mayan women's cooperative that works in organic farming in agro 101 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:34,679 Speaker 1: forestry in Page was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, also 102 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:37,040 Speaker 1: known as the Green No Bell, and in her speech 103 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:40,280 Speaker 1: she said, the award gives me the opportunity to tell 104 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,360 Speaker 1: the world that the territories of indigenous peoples are being 105 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: dispossessed for the imposition of megaprojects, extra activism, agri business, 106 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 1: tourism and others that strengthened a capitalist model that affects 107 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 1: natural resources and our means of employment. And that the 108 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: award quote represents a recognition of the work of the 109 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:06,080 Speaker 1: Mayan communities of the shame A region of Campache and 110 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:09,359 Speaker 1: at the unity of the Mayan territory, right. And I 111 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 1: think it's important that we do recognize that we don't 112 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 1: get to celebrate many victories for those in the indigenous 113 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: communities in the US. We're talking about the fact that 114 00:07:18,720 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 1: they're already pulling back a lot of autonomous rights for 115 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: tribal communities here and for us to see and for 116 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 1: us to celebrate such a great victory because of such 117 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 1: damage that it could have caused an entire community, an 118 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:36,680 Speaker 1: entire species. It's amazing to see that they want against corporation. 119 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 1: It feels like the little guys finally get to win 120 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 1: for the first time, and that she's not only be 121 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,240 Speaker 1: able to celebrate that, but she's going to help model 122 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: that for other people who are trying to fight that 123 00:07:46,920 --> 00:07:50,480 Speaker 1: and hopefully like hopefully push for that because Mexico actually 124 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 1: happens to be one of the highest productions for honey 125 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 1: and it's important to know that this is their livelihood, 126 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: that this is what has built their community. And she 127 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:00,520 Speaker 1: has talked about the fact that it's something that learn 128 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,360 Speaker 1: and it's been a part of their culture for three 129 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 1: thousand years and how significant that is for a community 130 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:13,080 Speaker 1: to have one giant industrial business coming and just ruin 131 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: it because they want to do something that could be 132 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: really unhealthy and unnecessary and just puts out so many people. 133 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 1: So cheers to her and the community that they have 134 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: worked so hard to win those fights. Yes, absolutely, and 135 00:08:28,800 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: these are amazing. I recommend looking into them more. Uh 136 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:40,200 Speaker 1: and also everyone recover on this segment is amazing And 137 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 1: if you have any suggestions for who we should cover next, 138 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 1: you can email us. Our email is Stephanie mom Stuff 139 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 1: at I hurt meia dot com. You can find us 140 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 1: on Twitter at mom Stuff podcast or Instagram and stuff 141 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 1: One Never told You thanks. It's always to our super 142 00:08:56,240 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 1: producer Christina, who's the best. We love sir the very best, 143 00:09:01,559 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 1: and thanks to you for listening. Stephm, I never told 144 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: you the protection of I Heart Radio. For more podcast 145 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:08,839 Speaker 1: from My Heart Radio, you can listen to the R 146 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,679 Speaker 1: radio app, Apple podcast, or where you listen to your 147 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 1: favorite shows.