Jupta Itoewaki
Jupta Itoewaki is the most internationally recognized leader of the Wayana people in Suriname. She is a powerhouse of Indigenous advocacy, serving as the Founding President and Chairperson of the Mulokot Foundation and the Guardian of the Amazon Expeditions.
While the other team members handle the field logistics, science, and photography, Jupta is the architect of the overarching strategy to protect the Wayana territory through legal recognition and international pressure.
She is board member in several international organizations and she is the focal point of Tenure Facility (Sweden) in Suriname.
Info@mulokot.com
Andre Verhoogt
André Verhoogt is the Managing Director of the Mulokot Foundation and the Guardians of the Amazon Expeditions, organizations dedicated to the sustainable development and rights of the Wayana Indigenous people in the southeast of Suriname. Originally from the Netherlands, Verhoogt’s journey with the Wayana began in 2006, leading to a deep, lifelong commitment to their culture and well-being.
With a background in Organizational Behavior and Change Management, he brings a strategic approach to Indigenous advocacy, ensuring that community projects are led by the Wayana themselves rather than outside interests.
andreverhoogt@mulokot.com
Dijon Koemapu
Dijon Koemapu is a pivotal figure within Guardians Of the Amazon Expeditions and a key leader for the Wayana people in Apetina.
Within Guardians and the Mulokot Team, Dijon is known as the go-to person for innovative ideas. For a citizen science expedition—which often involves logistical hurdles in the deep jungle—his role is to find practical solutions to ensure both the scientists and the Wayana guides can work effectively together.
He typically serves as a Field Coordinator and Lead Guide, ensuring that the "citizen scientists" (tourists) respect the local FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) protocols while successfully collecting data.
He leads the effort in documenting biodiversity and environmental changes (like the effects of illegal mining or drought) through a lens. He often trains Wayana youth in how to use cameras and tablets to record "bio-cultural" markers—essentially turning the community into its own monitoring force.
Dijonkoemapu@mulokot.com
Gilbert Koemaja
Gilbert Koemaja is a prominent Wayana indigenous leader and former ranger from the village of Apetina (Puleowime) in the southern rainforest of Suriname.
He works closely with the Guardian of the Amazon Expeditions. He is part of a specialized group of "Indigenous Park Rangers" who bridge the gap between ancestral knowledge and modern technology.
Gilbert is known for using GPS-mapping, Camera and audio trapping and satellite data to monitor illegal gold mining and deforestation. He spends weeks at a time navigating the forest by foot and korjaal (traditional canoe) to document changes in the ecosystem.
He is often a spokesperson for the Wayana people, advocating for land rights and the protection of the "lifeline" of the rainforest. He represents the authentic indigenous leadership that gives our organization its soul.
gilbertkoemaja@mulokot.com
Stijn Nollen
Stijn Nollen is a Dutch ecologist and conservationist whose work bridges the gap between European ecological management and Indigenous-led forest protection in the Amazon. He is a key collaborator with the Mulokot Foundation and the Guardian of the Amazon Expeditions, the representative body of the Wayana people in Suriname.
In the Netherlands, Nollen operates as a professional ecologist, often working on projects related to nature restoration and urban ecology. His Dutch career provides a foundation in rigorous environmental legislation and biodiversity management, which he then adapts to the complex ecosystem of the Surinamese rainforest. He is the co-founder of Echo Echo.
Stijnnollen@gmail.com
Freek de Goeje
Freek de Goeje is a Dutch filmmaker, writer, and researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of colonial history and the contemporary struggles of the Wayana people. He is notably recognized for his documentary film De Toemoek Hoemak Expeditie (2023) and his book Een berg die mijn naam draagt ("A Mountain That Bears My Name").
De Goeje’s connection to the Wayana is deeply personal and historical. He is the great-grandnephew of Claudius Henricus de Goeje, a 20th-century cartographer and anthropologist who was among the first Westerners to map the Wayana territory and after whom the De Goeje Mountains in Suriname are named.
Freek de Goeje’s involvement is rooted in reparative storytelling and modern advocacy. He works closely with the Mulokot Foundation to ensure his projects benefit the community directly.
freekdegoeje@gmail.com
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