Meet Helena Gualinga: The Ecuadorian Activist Who Stole Shawn Mendes' Heart

En español

In recent weeks, Helena Gualinga's name has gained popularity on social media after rumors spread that she is now dating Canadian singer Shawn Mendes. However, the Ecuadorian native was already well-known within activist circles for her dedicated work.

Despite her rising prominence in entertainment due to the rumored relationship, the 22-year-old has long been recognized for her environmental activism and human rights advocacy.

Born on February 27, 2002, Helena is the daughter of Noemí Gualinga, the first president of the Kiwcha Women's Association. She belongs to the Sarayaku community in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where she was born.

Helena's activism traces back to her roots, influenced by her grandmother, Cristina Gualinga, who fought for the rights of Amazonian women—a group historically neglected by authorities.

This legacy inspired her mother, Noemí, to become an environmental activist, advocating for justice and representing the women of their community.

Helena's passion for activism and her connection to nature are also influenced by her father, Anders Sirén, a professor and researcher at the University of Turku's Department of Geography and Geology.

Gualinga has Ecuadorian heritage on her mother's side and Swedish-Finnish ancestry on her father's. However, she grew up in the Amazon while traveling abroad, allowing her to experience diverse environments and perspectives.

One of Helena's primary causes has been the protection and preservation of the Ecuadorian Amazon from oil companies that have sought to exploit the region.

In 2019, at just 17, Helena participated in the UN Climate Action Summit. Although she was not a speaker, she joined other young activists outside the venue, protesting against pollution and the lack of decisive action by global leaders.

Holding a sign reading "Indigenous blood, not one more drop," Helena connected climate change to indigenous rights, highlighting how corporations not only harm the environment but also threaten the lives of those inhabiting these territories.

Later that year, Helena attended her first official summit, the UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid. During her speech, she criticized governments for exploiting indigenous lands without consent and prioritizing profits over environmental and community well-being.

"Our country's government is still granting our territories to the corporations responsible of climate change. This is criminal," she declared.

Helena's advocacy for indigenous rights and environmental preservation has earned her a reputation as a fierce defender of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most vital ecosystems in the Americas.

As her relationship with Shawn Mendes captures public attention, the couple has been spotted traveling across Latin America, sharing romantic moments. Despite the newfound spotlight, Helena's unwavering commitment to her causes remains at the heart of her identity.