Cultural Survival News Bulletin 006 January 2020

An update on current events from around the world on Indigenous rights.
This edition includes:

• Aboriginal Australians on bushfires
• !Xun and Khwe communities in South Africa raise concerns with government
• Yuin people fear ruin of cultural sites
• Indigenous Peoples across India protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill
• Mayan language to be taught at schools in Mexico

This interview is part of a multi radio project with three radio stations in South Africa. Jayd Smith interviews the Namibian organizers of the Nama Festival, and annual celebration that takes place in Keetmanshoop, South Africa.
The organizers of the festival were recently in South Africa, where a video of them singing in Khoekhoegowab has surfaced and was quite popular among the locals.

Jayd Smith from Eldos FM in Johannesburg interviewed Macci Eigus, Dawid Eigub en Dirk Eigub.

What is the state of education among Indigenous Peoples? Khoe language activist Denver Breda gives us an in-depth understanding of the situation in South Africa in particular with regard to Indigenous peoples as well as people with slave ancestry.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris
Interviewee: Denver Breda
Image: Denver Breda
Music: Anania2 by The Baba Project, used with permission
Indigenous Rights Radio Intro track features "Burn your Village to the Ground" by @a-tribe-called-red. Used with permission.

Shannon Foster is a Sydney D'harawal Knowledge Keeper, educator, and artist. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. with the Center for the Advancement of Indigenous Knowledges at the University of Technology in Sydney. Drawing on traditional knowledge, Indigenous leaders have advocated for changes to current land management practices for decades to help limit anticipated future fire damage. Aboriginal people have a deep knowledge of their lands, and traditional burning practices can help prevent massive destruction.

Leaders and activists from all over the planet converged in Madrid, Spain to attend COP25, The United Nations Climate Change Conference.
At the forefront of half a million protesters who marched through the Spanish Capital City, were indigenous voices who led the charge in what has become a monumental demonstration to highlight the global challenges that we’re all facing as a result of climate change.
Ta’kaiya Blaney (Tla A'min Nation) from Indigenous Climate Action was there, and we got a chance to speak to her.

In South Africa, in November 2019, a small but significant victory has been achieved when a benefit sharing agreement was reached with the Indigenous People of South Africa. The Khoi and San people will now benefit from the multi-million rand Rooibos tea and Honeybush industries.
Only 2% of the farmers who grow the tea are from Indigenous communities. 
National KhoiSan Council chairman Cecil LeFleur talks to Indigenous Rights Radio.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris
Image: Tea
Music: Yarina, Lights in the Forrest, used with permission.

The Ainu people, who are approximately 20 000 in number are the only officially recognized indigenous peoples in Japan. After lengthy battles by the Ainu people, the Japanese government finally recognized them as Indigenous Peoples of Japan, which is a real victory for the Ainu community, but Ainu indigenous peoples’ representatives say that the struggles of Ainu are not over yet. They continue to face discrimination, they are not yet free to celebrate their culture, to speak the Ainu language or to express their distinct identity. 

In Nepal, people belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community are known as "Tesro lingi" (third gender). In Nepal, and in many other places in the world, members of the LGBTQIA+ community face lack of respect and acceptance due to discrimination. Families often reject them. They often become homeless, face bullying, and many are barred from accessing education. 
Image: LGBTQIA+ Pride Flag, Wikimedia Commons
Music: Yawar Wawki-Yarina, titled ‘wawa’ music from Peru, used with Consent.

An update on current events from around the world on the topic of Indigenous Rights.

PRODUCTION
Shaldon Ferris (KhoiSan)
Indigenous Rights Radio Intro track features "Burn your Village to the Ground" by @a-tribe-called-red. Used with permission.

Cultural Survival's Dev Kumar Sunuwar spoke to  Victoria Tauli Corpuz,the Special Rapporteur of  on the Rights Indigenous Peoples on IYIL 2019, we also interview Joan Carling from the Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development.

Production: Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan, South Africa)  
Image: Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, courtesy of Jamie Kalliongis

Interviewer: Dev Kumar Sunuwar

Interviewees: Victoria Tauli-Corpuz and Joan Carling