Land Rights

The Global news bulletin for this month contains news from around the world on the topic of Indigenous Rights.  In this edition, we have news from Indonesia, Taiwan, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and more countries.

A proposed lithium mine at Peehee Mu’huh (Thacker Pass), Nevada, has attracted much attention. But those with the deepest ties to the land - descendants of those murdered at the Thacker Pass Massacre - have not been heard. In this podcast, we hear from Gary McKinney (Western Shoshone/ Northern Paiute) about the stuggles to protect sacred lands in the age of a lithium boom due to the transition to the "green" economy.

In 2019, a landmark agreement between traditional knowledge holders who are also small-scale farmers of Khoi and San descent, and the rooibos tea industry was reached.
This benefit-sharing agreement would see a small percentage of the profits made from rooibos and honeybush tea find its way to the hands of small-scale farmers.
On the commemoration of the international day of tea, we hear from National Khoi and San Council Chairman Cecil LeFleur, who will give us an update on how COVID-19 has affected the rolling out of the agreement.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)

We're witnessing the acceleration of the transition to a green, low carbon, and clean economy and the increase in demand for transition minerals such as nickel, lithium, cobalt, and copper. This skyrocketing demand is driving a wave of investment into new, expanded mining projects. These projects are promoted as "green" because they aim to supply minerals used for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles.

In this radio program, Ricardo Herdien talks about how Indigenous South Africans still struggle for land and basic services.
This interview was produced by Bush Radio 89.5 FM.

All music courtesy of Bush Radio.

In this podcast, Cultural Survival's Avexnim Cojti met with Editor in Chief of Indigenous Russia, Dmitry Berezhkov (Itelmen), and spoke about the impacts of mining on Indigenous communities.
Produced by Avexnim Cojti (Maya K'iche)
Voices: Dmitry Berezhkov (Itelmen)
Music: "Whispers", by The Ziibiwan, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.

Thought leaders and environmental activists from all over the world have come together at the 26th UNFCCC Conference of Parties, in Glasgow, Scotland, in an effort to unite in the battle against climate change, and to share ideas of how Western science and Indigenous Knowledge can come together for the common good of mankind. Indigenous Peoples from Ecuadorian Amazon, Chad, Alaska, Sweden, Indonesia and Australia, Russia, the USA, and many other places are making sure that Indigenous voices are heard at COP26.

Cultural Survival’s Lead on Brazil, Edson Krenak of the Krenak Peoples was at COP26, joining Indigenous delegations in making sure Indigenous voices are heard and listened to in the fight to combat climate change. 
Produced by Avexnim Cojti (Maya Ki'che) and Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Soundclip: Edson Krenak at COP26
Image: Edson Krenak 
Music: "Anania2" by The Baba Project, used with permission

On September 29, 2021, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste reduction will be commemorated to ensure that we all do our best to preserve food, and to respect the effort that goes into ensuring that it ends up on our tables, and to make sure that we do not take it for granted.
With only 9 years to go until 2030, we check in with the San community of Namibia, who explains to us how important a plate of food is to them, and how difficult it is to survive everyday life.
This interview is was provided to Indigenous Rights Radio by Indigenous Youth Exchange Radio.

Diana Morat from Eldos FM interviews Tauriq Jenkins on the saga of Amazon.com who wants to set up shop in Cape Town, South Africa. The piece of land that has been identified by Amazon has become a bone of contention. First Nations have a strong claim to this land because in 1510 it was the site of the first battle between the Khoi and European colonizers - in this instance the Portuguese Viceroy of India, Francisco d'Almeida. This is sacred land. The issues are of human rights, of heritage, of water and flora and fauna, of recreation and refreshment, of air and stars.