To Whom it May Concern:

 January 23, 2026


To Whom it May Concern:

My name is Linda Dabo, an Outreach Resource coordinator, and a Wikipedia content provider. ​

I have known and collaborated with Simon Nadungwenkop-Parkesui, for 16 years, beginning at the UN Indigenous Peoples Forum in New York in 2011. He is the Founder and Executive Director of  The Ogiek Cultural Initiatives Programs (OCIP).

Recently, our work and friendship has evolved with AfroCROWD Wikipedia User Group, where we are documenting the Ogiek’s culture, and their narrative in the digital age.

Recently, the Ogiek have had a Historic Legal Victory: On December 4, 2025, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights issued a landmark compliance ruling ordering the Kenyan government to pay reparations and issue collective land titles to the Ogiek. They are waiting for implementation.  

Simon is a part of a century old battle for sovereignty, land rights and human rights. 

​The Carbon Trading Paradox: Simon offers a critical perspective on modern "green" initiatives and indigenous knowledge and Stewardship. 

He understands how carbon trading exploits have been used as a tool for Indigenous displacement and why true conservation must be led by Indigenous stewards.

​As part of our AfroCROWD initiative presented at Wikimania 2025, Simon's participation was crucial to one of Wikimedia's goals to archive Indigenous knowledge and protect against cultural erasure.

​Youth & Elder Collaboration: His work bridges the gap between the oral histories of Ogiek elders and the youth.

​Simon’s work and commitment gives us a look into the past, present, and the future. For us to see what an Indigenous land reclamation looks like in the 21st century by a hunter-gatherer ethnic group. 

TikTok shorts from trip in August 2025, in Kenya. 

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrcR5MJc/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrc8LBy1/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrcRT2mj/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrcRWChv/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTrcRsEma/

Ogiek Maasai Blog posts

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-ogiek-land-and-human-rights.html

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/12/wikiexplorers-classroom-activity-for.html

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/12/wikiexplorers-stones-that-speak-and.html

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/12/wikiexplorers-editing-activities.html

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/12/wikiexplorers-learning-love-from-living.html

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-honey-hunters-wisdom-journey.html

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/12/blood-carbon-price-of-kenyas-green-gold.html

https://lindadabo.blogspot.com/2025/08/a-day-in-narok-while-attending.html


​Sincerely,

​Linda Dabo

OutReach Coordinator

& an AfroCROWD Wikipedia user group

Alkebulan Wiki Edit and Study Group 

Belrivers@gmail.com

646-730-4332














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