KAKISH

My name is Thalya Kakish, and my journey into indigenous rights began not in a conference room but in the heart of East Africa, with a spark of curiosity that turned into a lifelong mission.

As a child, I was fascinated by indigenous cultures. Shows like Kirikou ignited a deep respect for ancestral wisdom, storytelling, and the power of tradition. But it wasn’t until I visited Kenya and spent time with the Maasai people that I truly connected with the richness and complexity of indigenous identity.

That experience led me to Uganda, where I encountered the Batwa people - one of the most marginalized indigenous tribes in the world. The Batwa were forcefully evicted from their ancestral forests in the name of conservation, losing not only their land but also their spiritual home, cultural practices, and livelihoods. I was moved, disturbed, and ultimately transformed by their story.

This wasn’t just an issue of land - it was an issue of dignity, justice, and survival.

I traveled to Kampala to meet with members of the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, and spoke directly with ministers shaping national policy. I also engaged with NGO leaders like Alvin Muhwezi, Emily Katarikawe, and Justin Wren - individuals who have fought relentlessly to give the Batwa their voices back. These experiences showed me the gap between policy and reality, between intention and impact.

The Batwa are often treated as invisible - a forgotten people. But they are not forgotten by me. Their story lit a fire in me that will never burn out.

That’s why I created Kakish - to amplify their voices, preserve their heritage, and fight for their right to exist freely on their land. I believe real change starts with empathy, and courage — even when the system pushes back.

This is more than a project. It’s my purpose.