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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.

A proposed lithium mine at Peehee Mu’huh (Thacker Pass), Nevada, has attracted much attention. But those with the deepest ties to the land - descendants of those murdered at the Thacker Pass Massacre - have not been heard. In this podcast, we hear from Gary McKinney (Western Shoshone/ Northern Paiute) about the stuggles to protect sacred lands in the age of a lithium boom due to the transition to the "green" economy.

Demetrius Johnson (Diné) is a #LandBack Organizer at Rapid City, South Dakota-based nonprofit NDN Collective. Originally from Tółaní, Ganado, Arizona, Johnson began community organizing shortly after being elected President of Kiva Club around the disastrous Gold King Mine spill that affected his people in 2015. He is also a long-standing lead organizer for The Red Nation, a coalition of Native and non-Native activists, educators, students, and community organizers based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, advocating Native liberation.

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.

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

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.

The National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference (NTICC) took place from September 9th to September 11th, 2024. This event brought together knowledge holders on climate change and resilience efforts with an emphasis on the intersection, inclusion, and honoring of Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge.
Cultural Survival attended the conference, and we interviewed some of the attendees.
Produced by Tia-Alexi Roberts (Narragansett)
Edited by Shaldon Ferris (Khoi/San)
Interviewee: Elder Faye Ewan ( Caribou)
"Whispers" by Ziibiwan, used with permission.

The National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference 2024 took place from September 9th to September 11th in Alaska, USA. This event brought together our Indigenous relatives, partners, and delegates from around the world to share their insights on addressing climate impacts on their environments. It was a space for sharing and honoring Traditional and Indigenous Knowledge while respecting that these teachings rightfully belong to the Indigenous communities and individuals from which they originate.

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

Como parte del derecho a la información, Cultural Survival presenta este noticiero del mes de marzo de 2025 con notas relevantes de Norte, Centro y Sur América, África y Asia, el cual puedes 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.

In this program, Indigenous rights radio producer Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan,South Africa) speaks to Janene Yazzie (Navajo, USA) Sustainable Development Coordinator at International Indian Treaty Council, about the impact that COVID-19 has on the Navajo people.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris
Interviewee Janene Yazzie
Music
"Burn Your Village to the Ground" by A Tribe Called Red. Used with permission.

Muchos sucesos que involucran a los Pueblos Indígenas están pasando alrededor del mundo. ¿Sabes cuáles son? Como parte del derecho a la información, Cultural Survival presenta este noticiero del mes de junio de 2025 con notas relevantes de Norte, Centro y Sur América, África y Asia, el cual puedes 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. Redacción: - Rosy Sul González, maya kaqchikel, Cultural Survival, Guatemala.

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

Como parte del derecho a la información, Cultural Survival presenta este noticiero del mes de julio de 2025 con notas relevantes de Norte, Centro y Sur América, África y Asia, el cual puedes 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.

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

Como parte del derecho a la información, Cultural Survival presenta este noticiero del mes de julio de 2025 con notas relevantes de Norte, Centro y Sur América, África y Asia, el cual puedes 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.

Antonio Gonzales explains how without proper enforcement governments, cooperations, and extractive industries willingly ignore frameworks like FPIC  which are designed to protect the rights of indigneous peoples.