Indigenous communities around the world are raising their voices on critical issues ranging from government funding cuts to land rights and environmental protection. This is a summary of some of the most significant news from the past month.
Americas
In the United States, tribal leaders warned of "devastating" consequences from proposed federal budget cuts during a hearing in the House of Representatives. Over 60 representatives spoke out, arguing that the reductions would threaten essential services like healthcare, infrastructure, and education, and violate long-standing treaties.
In Canada, the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs has officially backed the Xinka People of Guatemala in their opposition to the Pan American Silver Escobal mine. The chiefs condemned delays in consultations and called for international support for Indigenous self-determination, drawing parallels to their own struggles.
In Brazil, prosecutors are suing the mining company Vale and the government over heavy metal contamination affecting the Xikrin Indigenous people. The lawsuit demands health monitoring for residents who have shown high levels of lead, mercury, and nickel, which are believed to be linked to the company's nearby mine.
Further south, in Argentina, Indigenous representatives from across the Andes have united to protest the impact of lithium mining on their water resources. At a recent summit, leaders declared that water is more valuable than lithium, criticizing the excessive water use by mining companies and a lack of government oversight.
Two oil spills in Peru's Amazon have affected eight Indigenous communities and 700 families. The spills, which are just the latest in a long history of similar incidents, are suspected to be linked to contractors for the state-owned oil company, Petroperú.
Meanwhile, in Bolivia, the murder of Francisco Marupa, a 66-year-old Indigenous leader and environmental defender, has sparked outrage. The killing has renewed the debate over illegal mining in the country’s protected areas, with Indigenous leaders insisting the murder is connected to these activities.
Africa
In South Africa, two different groups of Khoi-San people have made headlines. The first group petitioned U.S. President Trump to take Britain, Portugal, and the former apartheid government to the World Court for historical abuses and land dispossession. In a separate incident, five Khoi-San clan chiefs boycotted the opening of the House of Traditional Leaders, protesting a three-year dispute over their official recognition by the government.
Asia and Australia
In Nepal, more than 300 global organizations have condemned the Pathibhara cable car project, citing human rights abuses and environmental harm to the Limbu community. The project moved forward without the community's consent, leading to violent clashes with security forces.
In Indonesia, a long-awaited Indigenous Rights Bill is expected to pass this year after a 14-year delay. The law is designed to legally recognize ancestral lands, combat land grabbing, and give Indigenous communities more power in conservation efforts.
In Australia, a new study from the University of Queensland has found that First Nations Australians are twice as likely to need emergency treatment for allergies, including asthma and anaphylaxis. The findings highlight a significant health disparity and the urgent need for more research into the causes.