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​​​​​​​On April 21-May 5, 2025, the 24th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ([link removed]) (UNPFII) will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York. This year’s session theme will focus on "Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges.”

After decades of Indigenous leaders pushing for inclusion and representation at the United Nations, on July 28, 2000, the UNPFII was established as a high-level advisory body to the UN Economic and Social Council by resolution 2000/22 ([link removed]) . Since 2002, the UNPFII has been meeting annually.

Some of the greatest achievements over the past two decades have been the networking and alliances built among Indigenous delegates and representatives from all over the world. The relationships, partnerships, and friendships built are core to the global Indigenous rights movement. Aside from the official talks, interventions, panels, official side events, and parallel events, what really also needs to be elevated are the side conversations in the hallways between delegations, UN agencies, funders, and State representatives. This is where true change happens.


** Join us in amplifying Indigenous Peoples' voices this year at UNPFII with a series of events and opportunities below.

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** 1. Join the conversation!
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What are the pressing issues affecting your Indigenous community?

Create a short video (up to 2 minutes) and post it on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Facebook using #UNPFII24 #WeAreIndigenous ([link removed]) #Proud2BIndigenous.

Share your photos from this year's and the past UNPFIIs using the same hashtags.



** 2. Watch the Livestream of the UNPFII.
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Opening ceremony of the Forum will be streamed at webtv.un.org. ([link removed])
Monday, April 21, 2025 11:00am.


** 3. Attend a UNPFII side event.
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The full list of side events are posted here ([link removed]) for delegates who will be attending the UNPFII.
Join Cultural Survival at these events below:

[link removed]
Thursday, April 24, 2025 10:00 – 11:15 ET
UN Headquarters, NYC CR-F

Ensuring the Rights of Indigenous Environmental Defenders and the Implementation of UNDRIP in the Context of Extractive Industries

More info. ([link removed])
Thursday, April 24, 2025 11:30 am-12:45 pm
UN Headquarters NYC CR-12

Mining Standards: Can They Effectively Uphold Indigenous Peoples’ Rights or Simply Enable Corporate Self-Regulation?
More info. ([link removed])

Thursday, April 24, 2025 3:00-4:15 pm
UN Headquarters NYC CR-12

The UN Secretary-General Panel on Critical Minerals: Advocating for the Inclusion of an Actionable Recommendation on Indigenous Peoples' Rights

More info. ([link removed])

Friday, April 25, 2025 11:30 – 12:45pm
UN Headquarters, NYC CR-9

Declaration to Convention - Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
More info. ([link removed])


** 3. Follow Discussions from the Indigenous Media Zone.
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The Secretariat of the Permanent Forum (SPFII) and the Department of Global Communications (DGC), in partnership with Cultural Survival, is organizing an Indigenous Media Zone during the 24th session of the Permanent Forum in 2025. This will allow Indigenous media, journalists and platforms an opportunity to report on the session through Indigenous worldviews, perspectives and languages and organize media events around the theme of the session - “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”. Non-indigenous media are also welcome to join the Indigenous Media Zone. Further, in line with the International Decade on Indigenous Languages, the Indigenous Media Zone will aim to encourage the participation of Indigenous media practitioners in a wide variety of Indigenous languages from different regions. Several panels and interviews will be livestreamed
on facebook.com/culturalsurvival ([link removed]) .


** The Indigenous Media Zone will be located in the UN Correspondents Association Room (3rd floor, Secretariat building, S-310) from Monday to Friday, April 21-25, 2025, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST.

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** 4. Attend a Parallel Event (open to the public)
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Monday, April 21, 2025 4:30-8 pm
Church of the Covenant, 310 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

Strategies and Experiences of Indigenous Women Navigating Climate Crises in a Changing Political Landscape

As the rise of patriarchal-colonial violence escalates in an age of authoritarianism, Indigenous women will explore best practices in relation to land defense, migration, forced displacement, protecting Mother Earth, and food sovereignty.
Co-organized by Indigenous Environmental Network Indigenous Feminisms and Cultural Survival.


** UNPFII 2025 Speaker Highlights.png
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Tuesday, April 22, 2025 5:00 - 8:00 PM ET
777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY

Protecting Land, Rights, and Future Generations: Indigenous Women on the Frontlines of Climate Action and Earth Defense

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE! ([link removed])

Organizer: WECAN

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 ⋅ 4:00 – 7:00 pm ET
The People's Forum, 320 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018

Celebrating Indigenous Youth Creativity

Cultural Survival's Indigenous Youth Fellowship Program, established in 2018, has provided financial support ranging from $2,500 to $6,000 to individuals and groups of young people. These fellowships foster leadership and technical skills development while empowering them to support their communities. The program focuses on key areas such as Indigenous rights, language and cultural revitalization, Traditional Knowledge, and audiovisual communication. Participants receive personalized mentorship from Cultural Survival staff throughout their projects. To date, 157 fellowships have been awarded to 358 youths representing 127 Indigenous nations, with 64% of the recipients identifying as women.

This event will highlight the audiovisual projects (examples include documentaries, short films, video essays, and animations) created by our past fellows. Each presentation will be followed by a discussion on the creativity and themes explored by the youth. This event intends to elevate the messages in each project and celebrate the work of our past fellows.

English & Spanish Interpretation will be provided. Se proporcionará interpretación en inglés y español.

Organizer: Cultural Survival


** [link removed]
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Thursday, April 24, 2025, 10 am - 5 pm ET
American Indian Community House
275 Madison Ave #2014, New York, NY

Share Your Story: Communicate effectively with journalists training

Indigenous leaders and grassroots organizers have important stories to tell, but many are not accustomed to working with journalists and media. This contributes to Indigenous Peoples' affairs, and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) not getting the media attention they deserve. To address this gap, IJA and Grist co-produce a media training program for Indigenous leaders. During the training participants will learn how to hone and craft their messages; learn storytelling techniques and tools, and understand the story components journalists want and how to communicate them effectively to journalists and media.

Share Your Story has trained 34 community members from around the world. This program is supported by CCUNESCO, Cultural Survival, and Project Access Indigenous Partnership.

Register here: [link removed]

[link removed]


Monday, April 28, 2025 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET
Ford Foundation, Center for Social Justice
320 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017

Ideas at Ford: Centering Indigenous Voices in the Climate Movement

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, but if we fail to listen to those closest to the issue, how can we expect to find a lasting solutions? Join us as we sit down with Indigenous leaders who are placing their communities' voices at the heart of the climate conversation.

Speakers:
* Tristan Ahtone (Kiowa), Editor at Large at Grist
* Aimee Roberson (Choctaw and Chickasaw), Executive Director at Cultural Survival

RSVP Here. ([link removed])
Registration is required for all guests, and RSVPs are non-transferable. When entering the details of your name, please include the information as it appears on your photo ID.

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(617) 441-5400
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Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience since 1972. We envision a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance.

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