Amplifying Indigenous Voices at the 23rd Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

On April 15-26, 2024, the 22nd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) took place. Cultural Survival was on the ground working to amplify Indigenous voices and Indigenous-led solutions. Read more. En español. 

Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Clinic at Suffolk University and the Association of Maya Lawyers and Notaries in Guatemala Receive 2024 Columbia Global Freedom of Expression Prize

On April 11, 2024, Columbia Global Freedom of Expression (CGFoE) revealed the winners of the 2024 Columbia Global Freedom of Expression Prizes. In particular, the Prize recognizes the work of: Nicole Friederichs, Lead Counsel and Director of the Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Clinic at Suffolk University, Law School, and Cultural Survival Board Member; Amy Van-Zyl Chavarro, Of-Counsel of the Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Clinic at Suffolk University, Law School; Cristian Otzin (Maya Kakchiquel), Legal advisor at the Association of Maya Lawyers and Notaries in Guatemala and Cultural Survival Legal Fellow; and Adriana Sunun Pablo (Maya Kakchiquel), Legal advisor at the Association of Maya Lawyers and Notaries in Guatemala, and Cultural Survival Legal Fellow. Read more.

Indigenous-led Summit Examines Impacts of the Energy Transition and Centers Indigenous Peoples’ Priorities and Solutions

The Indigenous Peoples Global Coordinating Committee, in partnership with Securing Indigenous Peoples Rights to a Green Economy (SIRGE) Coalition, is pleased to announce JUST TRANSITION: Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives, Knowledge and Lived Experiences, an international forum that will take place on October 8-10, 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more.

Ford Sustainability Report Shows Important Progress on the Rights of Workers and Indigenous Peoples but Disappoints on Clean Steel and Aluminum

On April 22, 2024, Ford released its annual sustainability report, which demonstrates important progress on ensuring respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and workers in its supply chain but, disappointingly, falls short of expectations of civil society groups in the Lead the Charge network, with regards to clean steel and aluminum.  Read more. 

Geopolitical Implications of the “Green Energy” Transition on Indigenous Peoples

As Indigenous Peoples around the world, we find ourselves at this juncture of the history of human civilization and at the cusp of the fourth industrial revolution that promises either to plunge the world into climate chaos and biodiversity collapse or build a better future for all. Indigenous Peoples' lands are the last remaining strongholds of biodiversity. Read more.  

EU Council Approves CSDDD: A Step in the Right Direction, But Too Modest to Protect Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Effectively

March 15 marked the EU Council's adoption of the long-awaited Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) that aims to protect the environment and human rights across supply chains. Read more.

Indigenous Peoples and the Right to Self-Determination

Putting concepts such as decolonization and self-determination on the agenda is part of the legacy of the Indigenous Peoples’ struggles of the 1970s and 1980s. One of the most significant results of these efforts was the 1986 study by José Martínez Cobo, then Special Rapporteur of the UN Special Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Read more. En español. 

Victims of Plastic Pollution

The global problem of plastic pollution is now one of the biggest problems affecting all ecosystems, organisms, people, and the health of the entire planet. Because of its low price, plastic is used everywhere and on a monumental scale. It is found plentifully in places as remote as the Arctic and on Mount Everest.  And plastic production is only increasing, with global production reaching 400.3 million tons in 2022.  Read more.

Rhiana Yazzie's "Nancy" Explores Complexities of Racial and Ethnic Identity

The Mosaic Theater Company of Washington, D.C., in partnership with New Native Theatre, has produced the play “Nancy,” written by Rhiana Yazzie (Dine/Navajo) and directed by Ken Matt-Martin.  Read more.  

Most Native Americans Speak Spanish

That most Native Americans speak Spanish is a fact that flies in the face of many stereotypes and assumptions about immigration, who is Native, and where America is. Outside the United States and Canada, when you speak of Americans as if people from the States own the identity, you will quickly find pushback from someone who will point out that the Americas are two whole continents, not just one nation. Read more.

The Importance of Indigenous Oral Traditional Storytelling: Part 3

Listening to stories and sharing our own is how we will learn to live in a world that is constantly in motion– changing and evolving with the people in it. With technology in every facet of most people’s lives, stories are more accessible than ever. That means stories can change as well.  Read more.

Indigenous Youth Fellow Spotlight:

Youth Fellows Working to Bring Back Their Languages and Cultures

Listen to our Youth Fellows Rayen Rupayan (Mapuche) from Chile, Shaylin Sala (Chamoru) from Guam, and Kseniia Bolshakova (Dolgan) from Russia speak out at the UN about the importance of their Indigenous languages and cultures. 
Watch here.

Indigenous Community Media Fund Grant Partner Spotlight:

The Importance of Radio as A Means of Contributing to Peace in Bolivia: Radio Domingo Savio

Exercising peace journalism or making peace radio is not an easy task, but at Radio Domingo Savio, we are trying to manage information responsibly, betting on peace in Independencia, Cochabamba, Bolivia.  Read more. En español. 

Keepers of the Earth Fund Grant Partner Spotlight:

The Inga Mother Tongue and Chumbe Artisanal Weaving: Two Elements of Life for the Inga Peoples in Colombia

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