Indigenous Peoples around the world have always been innovative in finding ways to use their environment to their advantage, while respecting mother earth at the same time.
Saturday June 5th is World Environment day, and in this podcast we speak to Nelson Ole Reiya from the Nashulai Conservancy in Kenya, who will tell us how to make soap from Elephant Dung!
Nelson will tell us how the Masaai people Reimagine, Recreate and Restore.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan, South Africa)
Interviewee: Nelson Ole Reiya (Maasai, Kenya)

South Africa has been branded as “the Rainbow Nation” because of the diversity of its citizens. The country boasts a very liberal constitution and eleven official languages, which however do not include Indigenous languages. What is becoming more and more apparent lately is the exclusion of the Khoi and San languages especially from school curricula, radio, and television. IYX Radio is a new internet radio station that hopes to change the narrative.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Sharri Cannel (San)

In South Africa on November 1, 2019, a benefit sharing agreement was reached after many years of intense negotiations. This industry wide agreement was the first of its kind, and was launched between the Khoikhoi and San people, and the rooibos industry.

The increasing cases of new variants of Coronavirus in India has resulted in much suffering and despair. Though the virus does not discriminate, India’s 104.30 million indigenous peoples largely concentrated in the seven states of North-east India, and the central tribal belt stretching from Rajesthan to West Bengal, have been more adversely impacted, due to the lack of awareness and precautionary measures and due to ongoing obstacles in accessing government services.

Every single case deserves justice’: Non-profit seeks data
sovereignty and justice for Alaska’s missing and murdered.
Report from 90.3fm KNBA, Alaska.
Produced by Tripp Crouse.
Image: KNBA Logo

"Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16". That is the theme for the 20th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights. Cultural Survival spoke to Kenneth Deer (Mohawk) about the history and work of the Permanent Forum. 
Image: Kenneth Deer

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by with the mandate to deal with indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights.
Andrea Carmen (Yaqui) from the International Indian Treaty Council was there in the beginning, and in this radio program, she tells us all about the history of the forum, the present state of the forum, and the forum of tomorrow.

The coronavirus  (COVID-19)  pandemic  poses  a grave  health threat to Indigenous peoples around the world. Indigenous communities already experience poor access to healthcare, significantly higher rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases, lack of access to essential services, sanitation,  and  other key  preventive measures, such as  clean water, soap, disinfectant, etc.
Produced by
Shaldon Ferris
Interviewee: Shani Mangola (Hadza)
Music: Whispers by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
Image: Shani Mangola

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.

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 : Jimmy Felex