Youth

It's time to recognize that celebrating the life of Christopher Columbus is the same as celebrating the erasure of Indigenous existence. 

"We believe it is important to hear the other side of the story-- the Indigenous side-- because there are detrimental implications to learning about the side of history that makes heroes of colonizers, and erases those who were colonized" say Shaldon Ferris and Avexnim Cotji, Indigenous Rights Radio producers. 

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

Kaimana Barcarse interviews Perty Maguru from Nepal about the unique dual identity that Indigenous Peoples with disabilities occupy. She hopes to help bring a voice to this community. Recorded at the 2015 UNPFII. 

Kaimana Barcarse interviews Setareki Macanawai from Fiji. They discuss how the Disability Caucus hopes to extend its presence to regions and communities, in order to grow the network of Indigenous Peoples with disabilities. Recorded at the 2015 UNPFII. 

Kaimana Barcarse interviews Doreen Demas of the Dakota Peoples in Canada about the focus, message, and goals of the Disability Caucus at the UNPFII. She discusses the growing impact and voice of the Indigenous with Disabilities activist community. Recorded at the 2015 UNPFII.

Rena Avetisyan discusses the challenges facing the people of Western Armenia, which is dealing with territorial issues with Turkey, as they move forward in trying to secure their rights to promote their culture, establish more schools and other things they are guaranteed by the UNDRIP.

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. 

Julian Kunnie connects food soverignty to the spiritual and reflects on how disconected we are today from where our food comes from.

Legal and institutional frameworks need to be strengthened in order to prevent violence and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples and individuals.

This series of 24 PSAs is based on the Outcome Document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, which took place in September of 2014 in New York. The PSAs highlight specific passages of the Outcome Document in an effort to inform audiences of exactly what the document contains and encourage action.

Michael Preston speaks about how Indigenous youth can get involved in the UN system and defend their rights on the international level.