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Para los Pueblos Indígenas la tierra es nuestra madre, es fuente de vida y de sabiduría; por esta razón, el cuidado de la tierra es fundamental en nuestras culturas. A lo largo de toda nuestra historia, hemos mantenido una estrecha relación con ella; no obstante, debido a la influencia de formas de vida ajenas que han llegado a nuestras comunidades, es necesario recordar a las nuevas generaciones el valor de la madre tierra.  

This is a public service announcement about the coronavirus or Covid-19 disease outbreak.
According to the World Health Organisation, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe illnesses. Covid -19 is a type of coronavirus that is now affecting over 162 countries out of 195.

Producer: Shaldon Ferris
Voices: Katrina Esau
Translation by Claudia Esau
Music
"Burn Your Village to the Ground" by A Tribe Called Red. Used with permission.

This is a public service announcement about the coronavirus or Covid-19 disease outbreak.
While countries all over the world are on lockdown, and panic is the order of the day, this is a time when Indigenous Peoples around the world are encouraged to stay calm, and be strong, in the face of severe adversity.
What is most important to note, is that our elderly are the most vulnerable. We need to take extra precaution to save the lives of the ones who are dear to us, and the ones who have shown us the way to go, who have guided our feet on the path that we all walk.

This is a public service announcement about the coronavirus or Covid-19 disease outbreak.
The Covid-19 Pandemic is upon us, and we all need to adhere to all the hygiene protocols.
While it is important to ensure the well-being of our elders in the time of this global pandemic, let us take care of our children too. If this is new for us, imagine the psychological impact it has on our young ones. Take the time to explain it to them, first hand, as opposed to what they see and hear on social media, television and radio.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris
Voices: Katrina Esau

This is a public service announcement about the coronavirus or Covid-19 disease outbreak.
The Covid-19 Pandemic is upon us, and we all need to adhere to all the hygiene protocols.
While it is important to ensure the well-being of our elders in the time of this global pandemic, let us take care of our children too. If this is new for us, imagine the psychological impact it has on our young ones. Take the time to explain it to them, first hand, as opposed to what they see and hear on social media, television and radio.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris
Voices: Katrina Esau

This is a public service announcement about the coronavirus or Covid-19 disease outbreak.
While we adhere to the precautionary measures that prevent the spread of the coronavirus, it is important to strengthen the defenses in our body through responsible and healthy nourishment. Having a healthy immune system means that our bodies can fight the virus.
Within the community there are a great variety of foods that grow and are produced that can cover the needs of our families and of those elders who live alone.

After months of clinical trials by many companies in different countries, several vaccines, which are 94-95% effective, have finally been approved and are now making their way to hospitals, clinics and doctors rooms. Successful trials of the vaccines have taken place with medical professionals and the elderly. Vaccines against COVID-19 will be available to us soon.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris
Voice and Translation: Katrina Esau

Limited access to basic health services remains a big problem for Indigenous communities across all continents. Indigenous populations in many countries have experienced poorer health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous populations. Mainstream health services have not adequately met the health needs of Indigenous Peoples in both rural and urban settings.

Covid-19 is still a grave reality, now with a new strain of the virus spreading across the world. When the pandemic first began, we did not expect it to last this long, and no one expected that it would spread so widely and have such a disastrous impact. As we move into 2021, it continues to be crucial to maintain social distance, avoid large groups of people, wash or sanitize our hands and wear masks consistently to stop the spread of the virus.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris
Voices : Katrina Esau

Riverside FM and Cultural Survivals Indigenous Rights Radio are embarking on a project that will see the last fluent speaker of the N/uuki language of the San people, record an audio dictionary.
Produced by Riverside FM
Music "Anania2" by the Baba Project, used with permission.
Image: Riverside FM Logo

The right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent means that governments have to inform indigenous communities about any development projects they want to start in their territories, and listen to their opinions before beginning the project.

The right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent belongs to all Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous communities should not let governments continue to destroy their territories and violate their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

It is important that indigenous communities elect leaders who will fight for the interests of their people and not the interests of the government.

Article 10 of the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples states that no one can forcibly displace indigenous communities from their territories.

States must obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent from Indigenous Peoples before taking legislative or administrative measures which will affect them.

Governments cannot store dangerous materials on Indigenous Peoples’ lands without their Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

States should obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent before approving any development project that will affect the lands and resources of Indigenous Peoples.

The UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples along with other international instruments, recognises the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent as a right of Indigenous Peoples.

For Indigenous Peoples, the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent is a fundamental, inherent and inalienable right.

Governments are obligated to comply with the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent that belongs to all Indigenous Peoples.

The negotiation process between the government and Indigenous Peoples should be free of threats, bribes or any manipulation by the government of the decisions of Indigenous Peoples.

It is important that indigenous communities obtain sufficient information prior to the start of a project in order to have an accurate discussion about the potential changes.

It is important to have all the information about the potential impacts of development projects on the environment, the community and the people. The information should be available in a way in which everyone can understand, and in the native language of the people it will affect.

The right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent is stated in national and international laws, and can be applied in defence of lands and territories when there is a project that will cause irreparable damage.