Indigenous communities across the globe are making headlines as they advocate for their rights to land, self-governance, and cultural preservation. From legislative victories in the U.S. to protests against environmental damage in the Amazon, these groups are pushing for change and holding governments accountable.
North America
In the U.S., a new "Turquoise Alert" system has been launched in New Mexico to help find missing Indigenous individuals, a move that follows similar initiatives in three other states. This system, like Amber Alerts, aims to provide a faster, community-driven response to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. In California, the state observed Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Day on May 5th with a week of events at the State Capitol to raise awareness of the issue.
Also in the U.S., the Hoopa Valley and Yurok Tribes in California secured a historic agreement for 50,000 acre-feet of water from the Trinity River, a pact leaders are calling a crucial step toward restoring the river and ensuring the tribes' future. Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which empowers tribes to manage federal programs. This comes as the Trump administration reversed a previous executive order that aimed to make it easier for tribes to access federal funding.
In Mexico, Indigenous communities are protesting the construction of the San Cristóbal–Palenque highway, claiming a recent consultation was flawed and that they have received threats from government officials.
South America
In Colombia, a 2.7-million-acre territory has been established to protect the uncontacted Yuri-Passé Indigenous people in the Amazon from illegal mining and crime. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has also ruled against Ecuador for violating the rights of isolated Indigenous groups by not protecting their right to life and self-determination.
In other South American news, the Wampis Nation in Peru is protesting against illegal gold mining and logging on their ancestral lands, forming a "green army" to expel illegal operators. In Bolivia, representatives of the self-proclaimed "United States of Kailasa" were expelled after being caught in a land scam targeting Indigenous communities. Protests have also erupted in Panama where Indigenous communities near the Chan 75 hydroelectric plant are demanding to be excluded from a compensation agreement they say was negotiated without their proper input. In Argentina, Mapuche women are decrying what they call the unjust criminalization of their communities following devastating wildfires in Patagonia.
In Brazil, thousands of Indigenous people, including representatives from other nations, gathered for the annual Free Land Camp to demand land rights and environmental protection. This gathering took place as Brazil's Supreme Court withdrew a proposal that would have allowed mining on Indigenous lands.
Australia and New Zealand
In Australia, the Natural History Museum in London repatriated the remains of 36 Indigenous Australian ancestors. Six of the ancestors were handed over to specific communities, while the remaining 30 will be under the Australian government's stewardship to identify their custodians. This repatriation is being hailed as a step toward healing and reconciliation.
In New Zealand, Indigenous leaders are opposing the government’s plan to legalize online casinos, citing a lack of consultation and concern over the potential for increased gambling dependency within Māori and Pasifika communities. The country also overwhelmingly defeated the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, which aimed to redefine the founding document of New Zealand.
Africa and Asia
In South Africa, some members of the Khoisan people have called for a meeting with President Donald Trump, seeking international support for their struggle for recognition, land, and cultural preservation. In Namibia, Lucia Witbooi was sworn in as the country’s Vice President, making it the only African nation with both a female president and vice president. Her appointment is seen as a significant step toward gender inclusivity in politics. In Uganda, the Benet community is struggling to access land for cultivation due to conflicts with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, leaving them vulnerable to hunger and displacement.
In Indonesia, a new push for forestry carbon trading is raising concerns about the potential for Indigenous land rights to be ignored and for communities to be displaced. In Malaysia, a new threat from timber plantations is emerging as a driver of deforestation, putting over 200,000 hectares of Indigenous land at risk. Environmental groups are calling for a national cap on these plantations to protect both the environment and Indigenous rights.