Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is an indigenous climate activist, hip-hop artist, author, and one of the most powerful young voices in the global environmental movement. At age 15, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly on climate change, and he served as youth director of Earth Guardians, an organization his mother founded to train young activists worldwide.

A Voice for a Generation

Martinez, who is of Aztec descent, began speaking publicly about environmental issues at age six. By his teens, he was leading lawsuits against the federal government over climate change, performing his socially conscious hip-hop music on international stages, and inspiring millions of young people to take action. He is the author of We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement That Restores the Planet. His unique combination of indigenous wisdom, artistic expression, and activist courage has made him a symbol of the youth climate movement.

Inspiring Action on Climate and Social Justice

Martinez has been featured in Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Vogue, and on HBO. He was named to the TIME 25 Most Influential Teens list. His keynotes combine spoken word, music, and passionate advocacy to deliver unforgettable presentations on climate action, environmental justice, indigenous perspectives, youth empowerment, and why the next generation is demanding a fundamentally different relationship with the planet.

Community Made

In “Community Made,” Xiuhtezcatl presents a compelling exploration of the intersection between climate justice, Indigenous sovereignty, and the power of storytelling. This keynote urges us to embrace collective action as the cornerstone for creating enduring systemic change. Drawing from his decades of experience as an artist, organizer, and spokesperson in the climate movement, he delves into the intricate web of oppression that fuels our global human and environmental crises.

Through powerful narratives and insights, Xiuhtezcatl illuminates the interconnectedness of these challenges while highlighting the innovative solutions we are cultivating together. His work not only addresses the urgent need for resistance but also envisions a transformative future rooted in equity, sustainability, and community resilience. Join him in this vital conversation as we forge pathways toward a just and thriving world for all.

Roots Of Revolution

Finding your way in a world where the planet is collapsing, revolution is on the horizon, and youth are rising with the oceans to lead the movements that will shape our future.

Xiuhtezcatl’s generation was born into a rapidly changing world. We are facing total systemic collapse on nearly every level on our planet, temperatures are escalating and oceans are rising as violent weather patterns devastate the world his generation will inherit.

But Youth around the world are standing up and joining hearts and hands against some of the most powerful industries in the world to build a resilient movement and communities to over come this crisis.  Never before has their ever been such an intergenerational opportunity to shape the world we deserve to inherit and want to leave future generations!

Roots of Revolution is an eye opening presentation that inspires you to stand up and take action to protect all that you love!

 “The Inconvenient Proof” The Hidden Impacts Of Fracking

Xiuhtezcatl had been fighting Fracking in Colorado since he was 11 years old.  He has been trained to give this presentation by one of the top Fracking experts in the country. He helped close down a county commissioners meeting, helped get a ban on Fracking in Boulder, and a five year moratorium on Fracking in Boulder County.  He is suing the COGCC – Colorado Oil and Gas Commission for not protecting Colorado against the threats of Fracking and has gotten National coverage for his efforts. In this presentation he combines his knowledge on the dangers of Fracking with his personal journey to stop the industry from destroying the resources that future generations depend on to thrive.

We Are All Indigenous To The Earth

Xiuhtezcatl– deeply rooted in the Aztec tradition– shares his indigenous wisdom and the importance of staying connected to our cultures.  He shares about how his connection with the natural world has influenced him as a young leader, and how important it will be to return to a sacred way of living on the earth. He delves into disappearing cultures around the world, the loss of languages and ancient teachings that could be important guides for turning the tides in the crisis we now face.  His presentation reveals the fact that we are all indigenous to somewhere – the sacred Earth.  By acknowledging our interconnectedness his audiences realize that what we do in one part of the world ultimately affects all. The journey we must begin is one of healing ourselves so that we can heal our earth.

The Path of Guardianship: Creating Change with the Lives We are Already Living

Xiuhtezcatl (Shoe-TEZ-caught) Martinez was just six years old when he took the stage as an activist for our environment. Today, he leads a movement that is both local and global. As the Youth Director of Earth Guardians, a global organization dedicated to training young people to be effective leaders in the environmental, climate and social justice movements, Xiuhtezcatl helps turn activism into meaningful action. His Native American indigenous heritage and talents as a successful hip hop artist allow Xiuhtezcatl to engage in the climate movement in ways that cross generational barriers. From performing with Willow Smith and Jayden to addressing the UN General Assembly (three times) to serving on panels with Bernie Sanders and Van Jones, Xiuhtezcatl remains clear in his mission to save our planet by empowering people the world over to create meaningful change through the lives they are already living.