Act for Survival week is a good time to remember our activism from over the years.
Dear Jack,
Survival International has always sought to publicize abuses against the Indigenous peoples we work with, and to focus public concern into irresistible pressure for change. Over our 55 years, we’ve done that in different ways; but we never give up, and we never back down.
This week, we’re asking you to #ActForSurvival by taking part in at least one action, and by spreading awareness with our logo challenge.
Act for Survival
VIGILS AGAINST GENOCIDE
“This is what I tell my people. If Survival were not fighting and defending our rights, governments would have killed all the world's Indigenous people.” Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, 2009
Survival’s vigils for Indigenous peoples have included a 7-year weekly vigil for the Yanomami, outside Brazil’s embassy in London and, at times, in 20 other countries; and a 4-year monthly vigil for the Jumma people, who were suffering brutal attacks and murders by the Bangladeshi security forces. Both vigils – alongside other pressure from Survival and our Indigenous and other allies – paid off, with the Brazilian government demarcating the whole of the Yanomami territory in 1992, and the Bangladesh government signing a peace accord with the Jummas in 1997.
Take action now
CLIMBING NELSON'S COLUMN:
LET THE INNU LIVE
“Thanks Survival for being there for my people in critical times! Our lives as Innu are better because of your work and solidarity with our People.” Armand MacKenzie, Innu lawyer, 2019
In 1995, Survival supporters Simon Nadin, Noel Craine, Jerry Moffatt and Johnny Dawes offered their climbing skills to highlight Survival’s message about the horrendous treatment of the Innu by the Canadian government. They free-climbed Nelson’s Column in London – a stone column more than 50m high – and unfurled a huge protest banner opposite the Canadian High Commission. Getting past a pedestal slippery with London rain and wet pigeon droppings, and reaching the top before the police arrived, they had an hour to do interviews with the world's media – via a mobile phone hoisted up on a rope – before descending to receive a police caution.
THE "AWÁICON" FOR THE WORLDS MOST THREATENED TRIBE
“This important victory has come about because of Survival International’s tireless campaign.” Nixiwaka Yawanawá, 2014
From 2012 to 2014, Survival supporters campaigned against devastation of the land of the uncontacted Awá people, in the Brazilian Amazon, by illegal loggers and ranchers. Survival activists sent more than 57,000 messages to the Brazilian government, and made the campaign visible everywhere, sharing pictures of the campaign logo, the “awáicon,” on famous landmarks in more than 38 countries. Feeling the immense pressure, the Brazilian authorities sent in teams to remove all invaders from the Awá territory in January 2014.
Our activism evolves and varies. Sometimes it relies on being creative and attention-grabbing; sometimes it relies on being tenacious and persistent. But it is always unflinching, and always guided by the voices and the bravery of the Indigenous peoples with whom we work.
There is still lots of time to #ActForSurvival this week, by taking at least one campaign action, and by sharing your recreation of our logo to spread awareness of our movement.
Thank you for all you do.
Simonas Bartulis
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