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Article 8 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states:
1. Indigenous peoples and individuals have the right not to be subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.

Es importante reconocer las experiencias distintas que tienen personas Indígenas. Para Olga Montúfar, una activista mexicana que trabaja con la organización Paso a Paso, el abogar por los derechos de personas Indígenas con discapacidad es una manera de ayudar a una población marginada. Además de hablar sobre su propia experiencia como persona con discapacidad, explica cómo intenta educar a las personas Indígenas con discapacidad sobre sus derechos como personas Indígenas y discapacitados.

El tema de la diversidad sexual no ha sido discutido abiertamente en el Mecanismo de Expertos de las Naciones Unidas. Andrea Sánchez Lezama, de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, habla de la importancia de reconocer las necesidades y los derechos fundamentales de personas Indígenas con diversas identidades sexuales.

Jennifer Lopez Vicente, facilitadora comunitaria en Guatemala y autora de un artículo sobre los derechos de las mujeres mayas y jóvenes, habla de su experiencia como maya y mujer para dar una voz a su comunidad.

Luis Victor, representante peruano de la Coordinadora Andina de Organizaciones Indígenas, comparte sus observaciones sobre el problema de los gobiernos de países latinoamericanos y empresas que promueven la extracción de recursos naturales y cómo afecta la soberanía y salud de los pueblos Indígenas.  

Según Capac Conde, un joven abogado aymara de Bolivia, no es suficiente sólo adoptar la Declaracion de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, sino que los Pueblos Indígenas necesitan conocer los artículos de la Declaración y saber cómo defender y exigir la aplicación de sus derechos.

Una consulta con un relator especial es una manera de buscar la que las demandas y los retos de los Pueblos Indígenas sean escuchados y respetados. Sandra Cevallos de Argentina explica el proceso de solicitar y gestionar una visita del relator.

Albert Deterville, Expert Mechanism representative of Latin American and the Caribbean, discusses the Expert Mechanism, as created by the UN, on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the process in which they aid the monitoring of rights in regions around the world.

Les Malezer, of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, discusses the origins and goals of the expert mechanism and it's importance to the rights of Indigenous Peoples around the world.

Nina Cass, of New South Wales, Australia, discusses her work with Madala, a youth organization that helps Indigenous young people go to school as well as the issues facing the Indigenous Peoples in Australia such as the promotion of culture, relocation, discrimination, suicide, etc. and how she can help in her role. 

Ben Sherman, of the Lakota Nation, discusses his work with the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance and his hopes to reach and engage more people through his organization, as well as the challenges facing the organization as it spreads to other parts of the world. 

Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard (Anishinaabe, Canada) explains how the concerns that have been labeled as “women’s issues” are in fact central to the progress of Indigenous rights. Often, concerns such as domestic abuse, schooling, and healthcare are often sidelined in favor of focusing on issues that are seen as more universal. Dr. Lavell-Harvard places them at the center of her activism efforts, showing that there is no need to compromise or postpone the rights of Indigenous women in Indigenous movements globally.

Producer: Avexnim Cojti

This program is dedicated to Joan Carling, an activist from the Kankanaey people of the Philippines. She has served as an Expert Member on the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues during 2014 and 2016, and as the Secretary General of the Asia Indigenous Pact. In this interview, she explains the benefits of the participation of Indigenous Peoples in local and global decision-making, which would bring a diversity of perspective and solutions to pressing issues.

Producer: Avexnim Cojti

Vicky Tauli-Corpuz (Igorot Kankanaey, Philippines), a long-time activist and UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, shares her experience with successes of small, local groups reaching out to the international community to collaborate in better defending their rights. She explains how her experience as a nurse led to community engagement, which quickly turned into a passion for advocating for the needs of community members as an activist.

Producer: Avexnim Cojti

Vicky Tauli-Corpuz talks about the importance of Indigenous Peoples using the range of international instruments and mechanisms in place, to pressure their governments to implement changes. 

Vicky Tauli-Corpuz talks about her visit to Paraguay in her capacity as UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. She discusses the process and the preparation of these visits, highlighting the need for autonomy and security for the people she talks with. 

It is an opportunity to meet with Indigenous communities, civil society organisations, government ministers and the private sector and encourage dialogue across society.  

Dalee Sambo discusses the exchange between the Brazilian government's representative and representatives of Brazil’s Indigenous tribes at the UNPFII 2015. Violations of Land Rights continue in Brazil, including the criminalization of Indigenous Peoples who are trying to defend their rights to land.  

John Scott highlights the importance of using processes established by Indigenous communities when gaining free, prior and informed consent for activities which will take place on their lands. He also talks about the importance of including traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples at the UN Permanent Forum.  

Interview at the United Nations Permament Forum on Indigenous Peoples, May 2015 in New York. Listen to a members of the Indigenous Peoples Global Network speak about how they want to be included as Indigenous Peoples with Disabilities in the broader movement.

Statement from Special Rapporteur Vicky Tauli-Corpuz on the sustainable development goals proposed by the United Nations and how Indigenous Peoples' rights must be respected in order to solve climate issues such as deforestation.

Chief Bellegarde speaks at UNFPII to bring to light the gap between Canada and its Indigenous Peoples in regard to the United Nations Human Development Index and the rights of indigenous peoples in Canada. Belgard works to close the gap between the wealth of Canada as a nation and Canada's indigenous peoples. He calls on Canada to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Cristina Coc, a Q'eqchi Maya woman of southern Belize, shares how Mayan groups in Belize have been fighting for their rights for over 30 years. After many meetings with the State, the Belize national court has acknowledged legal Indigenous rights to their land and affirmed that the government may not use, destruct, or occupy Indigenous land.

Josh Cooper speaks about climate change and its impact on Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples are being impacted by climate change, specifically in Oceania, and Josh Cooper is working to create World Climate Justice Day to bring further awareness to the issue.

Christopher Kuaiwa of Hawaii speaks about the destruction of a sacred mountain in his community and wants to spread his message of advocacy for Indigenous Rights throughout the world. He also participated in an intervention and proposed recommendations in the Permanent Forum regarding the 30-meter telescope that is proposed to be built on the sacred mountain calling to halt construction and divest.

Josh Cooper speaks about deep seabed mining and the risks associated with this type of exploration for Indigenous Peoples and the environment.