From the United Nations to local communities, Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of major global issues, advocating for their rights, cultures, and the environment. Recent events highlight their growing influence and the ongoing challenges they face.
UN and International Initiatives
At the United Nations, a significant step has been taken to connect climate action with cultural preservation. UNESCO has appointed two Indigenous co-chairs, Dr. Amy Parent from Canada and Dr. Sonajharia Minz from India, to lead a new initiative. This effort aims to protect Indigenous languages and knowledge, recognizing that this ancestral wisdom is crucial for addressing the climate crisis. This initiative will have a global impact, including in countries like Australia.
In a similar vein, a new UN report, co-authored by Noongar writer Jesse J. Fleay, officially recognizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge for global sustainability. The report also supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a key document in Australia that calls for a First Nations voice in Parliament.
North and South America
In the United States, tribal and conservation groups are pushing federal officials to make permanent a 20-year ban on new oil and gas drilling near the sacred Chaco Canyon in New Mexico. They argue that preserving this important cultural site is more important than short-term energy profits.
Across the border, new laws in British Columbia, Canada, are causing concern. First Nations and environmental groups are worried that these laws will fast-track infrastructure projects without proper consultation, leading to environmental damage and legal battles over Indigenous rights.
Down in South America, there is a mix of activism and challenges. In Peru, the 15th International Festival of Indigenous Peoples’ Film showcased the power of cinema in preserving Indigenous identity and history. Meanwhile, in Bolivia, the Ayoreo community is still struggling three years after devastating fires destroyed their homes. They are now living in temporary tents and facing health problems, highlighting the government’s neglect of land rights.
In Brazil, Indigenous leaders from nine nations are protesting the government’s auction of 19 new oil blocks in the Amazon. They argue this move will lead to environmental destruction and undermines Brazil’s claims of climate leadership. They are demanding direct funding and a greater role in climate policy.
Further north in Colombia, a group of rural, Indigenous, and environmental organizations have proposed a new law to ban genetically modified (GM) seeds. They want to protect native crops and traditional farming methods, which they say are being threatened by large agribusinesses. In Ecuador, protests against a mining project turned violent when police reportedly used force against Indigenous communities.
Africa and Asia
In Africa, two countries are taking steps to address past injustices. In South Africa, the government is reburying the remains of 58 Khoi and San ancestors and helping to bring home the remains of those who died during the liberation struggle. These efforts are aimed at promoting healing and restoring dignity. Namibia also held its first Genocide Remembrance Day to mourn the massacre of tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people by German colonial forces more than a century ago.
In Kenya, a local Indigenous-led radio station called Bus Radio is gaining international attention with the help of UNESCO. Broadcasting in Maa and Swahili, the station empowers local communities by discussing important topics like land rights, health, and education.
In Asia, Indigenous groups in Bangladesh are calling on the European Union to intervene in a military crackdown in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They claim the military’s actions are leading to arrests and other abuses. In Thailand, a new law is raising concerns at the UN, as critics warn that it threatens the land rights of over 4,000 Indigenous communities.
However, there is also positive news. In Northeast India, communities like the Khasi and Apatani are using their traditional knowledge to find modern solutions to climate change. They are protecting sacred forests and developing sustainable practices, offering valuable lessons for the rest of the world.