Celebrating 20 Years of Indigenous Activism at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
This week marks the second week of the 20th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s session is primarily virtual, and its theme is “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The Role of Indigenous Peoples in Implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16.”
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Kenneth Deer on the UNPFII
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was established on July 28, 2000, by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights. Cultural Survival recently spoke to Kenneth Deer (Mohawk) about the history and work of the Permanent Forum. |
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Join Us Today at this UNPFII Side Event!
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Join us for this opportunity to hear an update from UNESCO on the Global Action Plan on the International Decade of Indigenous Languages and share solutions and strategies Indigenous Peoples have implemented in media and education, including the urgent steps that must be addressed at the national and international levels to curb the critical loss of Indigenous languages. Co-hosts: UNESCO, International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, and Cultural Survival.
Moderator: Alvin Warren (Santa Clara), Vice President of Career Pathways and Advocacy at LANL Foundation and IFIP Board Member
Panelists:
Irmgarda Kasinskaite-Buddeberg, Advisor, Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO
Shaldon Ferris (KhoiSan), Cultural Survival Indigenous Rights Radio Producer
Gabriela Velázquez Álvarez, Programme Coordinator, UNESCO Office in Mexico
Carlos Cortez, Intangible Cultural Heritage Specialist, Directorate of Intangible Cultural Heritage, El Salvador
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A historic case is pending before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to decide on the right of Indigenous Peoples to their freedom of expression through the use of community radio in Guatemala. Hear from grassroots leaders and other experts about the evolution of the case and its possible precedent for Indigenous Peoples throughout the Americas.
Moderator:
Cesar Gomez (Maya Pocomam), Cultural Survival Community Media Program Coordinator
Panelists:
Christian Otzin, Maya Lawyers Alliance
Nicole Friederichs and Amy Chavarro, Suffolk University Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples Clinic
Anselmo Xunik (Kachikel), Radio Ixchel
Sr. Julian Bal (Kaqchikel), Alcaldía Indigena, Comalapa, Guatemala
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SDG 16 “Peace Justice and strong institutions” includes a target to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. Are we meeting that goal for Indigenous Peoples? Learn from a study on this topic co-produced by UNPFII Indigenous Media Caucus, Cultural Survival, and WACC.
Moderator:
Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Koĩts-Sunuwar), Cultural Survival Asia Coordinator, Indigenous Community Media Fund
Panelists:
Jenni Monet (K’awaikame /Laguna Pueblo), Award-winning Investigative Journalist
David Hernández Palmar (Wayuu), The International Indigenous Film Showcase of Venezuela
Jose Manuel Ramos Rodriguez, Researcher of Media Caucus Study
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Join the conversation!
What are the pressing issues affecting your Indigenous community?
Create a short video (up to 2 minutes) by April 30 and post it on Twitter and Facebook using #UNPFII20 #WeAreIndigenous #Proud2BIndigenous.
Share your photos from the past UNPFIIs using the same hashtags.
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Nearly 600 URGENT PSAs on the coronavirus are available in close to 140 Indigenous languages. Please share.
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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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