Search

Suzanne Benally is a leader in Indigenous Rights advocacy, and serves as the Executive Director of Cultural Survival. She shares her thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing Native American communities and Indigenous Peoples in general in the context of the Trump administration. Interview by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan), Indigenous Rights Radio producer based in South Africa.

Websites:

Indigenous solidarity has coalesced into a powerful movement thanks to the activism and perseverance of Indigenous leaders from communities around the world. Indigenous leaders that are defending land, language, culture, and the environment face acute persecution, both from governments directly and from extrajudicial actors.

La soberanía de la Nación Sioux está amenazada por el Gobierno de EE.UU. y los intereses corporativos mientras el proyecto del Dakota Access Pipeline sigue avanzando. Rossy González (Maya Kakchiquel), productora de Radio de Derechos Indígenas, revisa la situación política de Standing Rock y su contexto histórico con unas activistas prominentes, y ofrece sugerencias sobre cómo las personas pueden apoyar a la Nación Sioux en su trabajo para detener la construcción del oleoducto.

In linking conservation efforts to the economic goal of using biological resources sustainably, the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) sets out three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. How do Indigenous Peoples' rights tie into the Convention on Biodiversity?

Kandi “EagleWoman” White (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara) is a leading voice in the fight to bring visibility to the impacts that climate change and environmental injustice are having on Indigenous communities across North America. Kandi began her work with the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) as the Tribal Campus Climate Challenge Coordinator, engaging with more than 30 Tribal colleges to instate community based environmental programs and connect Indigenous youth with green jobs.

Indigenous Peoples are not just stakeholders; Indigenous Peoples are rights holders. Cultural Survival reiterates the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ access to direct participation at the same negotiation tables as nation states at the UNFCCC COP27, with the right to have a voice and vote, and the inclusion of references to human and Indigenous Peoples’ rights in all documents.
Cultural Survival spoke to Andrea Carmen of the International Indian Treaty Council about Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Andrea Carmen (Yaqui)

Human beings have rights, but what about the rights of nature? Great Grand Mother Mary talks to us about the rights of nature. Cultural Survival attended COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee:Great GrandMother Mary (Anishinaabe)
Music: "LIBRES Y VIVAS by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

In this radio program, former Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya discusses the importance of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, as a process to combat climate change.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: James Anaya  (Apache and Purépecha)
Music: "LIBRES Y VIVAS by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

In this radio program, Cultural Survival speaks to Kenneth Deer. He talks about the importance of Traditional Knowledge.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Kenneth Deer (Mohawk)
Music: "LIBRES Y VIVAS by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

Indigenous issues such as land grabbing, and healthcare, in the US receive little to no media coverage. This is because reporters do not consider these stories important enough. Tristan Ahtone (Kiowa), editor at large at Grist, suggests that hiring Indigenous journalists to work in newsrooms is the easiest way to address this problem. If that's not feasible, news organizations can collaborate with Indigenous reporters at other outlets. There are various ways to ensure that journalism is safeguarded and that the best possible work is produced.
Producer : Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)

Cultural Survival covers Indigenous Issues worldwide. As part of this work, our team joined the international negotiations of the 12th session of the Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) relating traditional knowledge, innovation and practices of Indigenous Peoples under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on November 12-16, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland. We spoke to many Indigenous leaders to communicate their priorities to our wider Indigenous audience.

In the three decades since the Rio Summit and the launch of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP) has convened member countries every year to determine ambition and responsibilities, and identify and assess climate measures. The 21st session of the COP (COP21) led to the Paris Agreement, which mobilized global collective action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, and to act to adapt to the already existing effects of climate change.

Indigenous Peoples  have knowledge and values oriented towards nature and amassed through generations. Indigenous peoples steward over 80% of the planet’s remaining biodiversity.
In their main decision adopted at the end of COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021, governments recognized “the important role of civil society, including youth and indigenous peoples, in addressing and responding to climate change, and highlighting the urgent need for action”.
Cultural Survival attended COP28 in Dubai, and spoke to some of the delegates who attended.

Each year a different country becomes the COP president, in charge of organising and running that year’s meeting. Usually this means that the host city moves each year, too. Any new agreements which are made at COP tend to be named after the host city, e.g. the 2015 Paris Agreement or the 2021 Glasgow Climate Pact. The 28th meeting will be held in Dubai.
Cultural Survival attended COP28 in Dubai, from 30 November to 12 December 2023, and spoke to some of the delegates who attended.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Carol Monture (Mohawk Wolf Clan)

Land and environmental defenders are at the forefront of the climate crisis, protecting the world's forests and biodiversity. Without their representation at the table, we cannot solve the climate crisis.
Cultural Survival attended COP28 in Dubai, from 30 November to 12 December 2023, and spoke to some of the delegates who attended.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee Jeff Ferguson (Spokane)
"LIBRES Y VIVAS " by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission

Muchos sucesos y situaciones que involucran a los Pueblos Indígenas están pasando alrededor del mundo. ¿Sabe cuáles son?

Como parte del derecho a la información, Cultural Survival le presenta este noticiero del mes de enero de 2024 con notas relevantes de Norte, Centro y Sur América, África y Asia, el cual puede escuchar, descargar y compartir de forma gratuita.

Música de introducción:

- “Burn Your Village to the Ground” de The Halluci Nation. Derechos de autor, propiedad de The Halluci Nation. Usada bajo su permiso.

Chad Valdez (Diné) is a writer currently residing in Denver, CO, and working as a bookseller. He holds a Master's degree in Fine Arts in Fiction with a minor in Native American studies from New Mexico State University where he was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. He has taught undergraduate courses in English and Creative Writing where he was able to share his love of Indigenous storytelling and understanding of epistemology. His writing has appeared in Windward Review, CBR.com among other outlets. This is Chads audio story called 'Split Decision'.

The Diplomatic Conference to Conclude an International Legal Instrument Relating to Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources is taking place from Monday, May 13 to Friday, May 24, 2024.
Ulukoa Duhaylonsod from Hawaii is one of the delegates who is attending the conference.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris(Khoisan) and Polina Shulbaeva (Selkup)
Interviewee: Dietrix Jon Ulukoa Duhaylonsod (Ka'uikokapo/Adahi I Manaotao-ta Mo'na)
Libres y Vivas by Mare Advertencia, used with permission.

Aimee Roberson, Executive Director, is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and also of Chickasaw, Scottish, Irish, and English descent. Aimee is a lifelong student of Earth’s wisdom and holds a Bachelor's degree in Geology from Macalester College and a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota.

The 2024 Indigenous Media Conference, organized by the Indigenous Journalists Association, took place from July 25 to 27 in Oklahoma City, United States. The event brought together Indigenous journalists, media professionals, and experts from around the world to discuss and address the pressing issues faced by Indigenous media practitioners. The conference also provided an opportunity to celebrate their contributions and achievements.

The 2024 Indigenous Media Conference, hosted by the Indigenous Journalists Association, was held from July 25 to 27 in Oklahoma City, United States. This significant event successfully united Indigenous journalists, media professionals, and experts from across the globe to address the critical challenges encountered by Indigenous media practitioners. Furthermore, the conference served as a platform to recognize and celebrate the impactful contributions and accomplishments of Indigenous media professionals.

The Indigenous Journalists Association brought together Indigenous journalists, media professionals, and experts from July 25 to 27 in Oklahoma City, United States to discuss and address pressing issues faced by Indigenous media practitioners. Cultural Survival was there, and we heard from Jim Compton, an Indigenous filmmaker, was present to share experiences, challenges, and successes in covering Indigenous communities and their efforts for Indigenous rights.
Interviewee: Jim Compton (Anishinaabe, Keeseekoose First Nation).
Producer : Dev Kumar Sunuwar

The 2024 Indigenous Media Conference, brought together Indigenous journalists, media professionals, and experts from around the world to discuss and address the pressing issues faced by Indigenous media practitioners. The conference also provided an opportunity to celebrate their contributions and achievements. Cultural Survival was also present at this landmark event and interviewed Bryan Pollard (Cherokee), Grant Operations Manager at the Associated Press, who shared his thoughts about working in Indigenous communities.

The 2024 Indigenous Media Conference brought together Indigenous journalists, media professionals, and experts from around the world to discuss and address the pressing issues faced by Indigenous media practitioners. The conference also provided an opportunity to celebrate their contributions and achievements. Cultural Survival was present at this event and spoke to Frank Blanquet (Yucatec Maya), an award-winning content producer, Director of Television for First Nations Experiences (USA), an Indigenous journalist.

The 2024 Indigenous Media Conference provided an opportunity for Indigenous Journalists and media personnel to celebrate their contributions to journalism. Cultural Survival attended the event and asked Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Pacific Island Journalist, Climate Director, Solutions Journalism Network), an Indigenous journalist, to share her experiences in covering stories related to Indigenous communities.
Interview: Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Pacific Island Journalist, Climate Director, Solutions Journalism Network)
Producer: Dev Kumar Sunuwar