The Cultural Survival Bazaars are a series of cultural festivals, organized by Indigenous Peoples’ rights organization Cultural Survival, that provide Indigenous artists and artisans, cooperatives, and their representatives from around the world the chance to sell their work directly to the public.
Each event features traditional and contemporary crafts, artwork, clothing, jewelry, home goods, and accessories from dozens of countries.
Cultural Survival will be hosting their summer bazaars in Newburyport, Massachusetts on July 20th and 21st and in Tiverton, Rhode Island on July 27th and 28th.
The Cultural Survival Bazaar Program goals work to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ articles 11, 20, and 31.
In this interview we hear from Benson Riyes Kitesho, who will showcase his artwork for the first time at Cultural Survival's Bazaar in July 2024.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoi/San)
Interviewee: Benson Riyes Kitesho (Maasai)
Richard Grounds, executive director of the Yuchi Language Project, talks about why working with young people and implementing more than just dictionaries or books is important to straightening out indigenous languages and passing on this heritage from generation to generation. In addition, it mentions some important points of the International Indigenous Language Exchange carried out by Cultural Survival.
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Kaimana Barcase, CS Board Chair, tells us about the importance of working in groups and sharing experiences to discover how other peoples work in the revitalization of indigenous languages and explore new methodologies.
All our programs are free to listen to, download and share.
Intro music:
- “Burn Your Town to the Ground” by The Halluci Nation. Copyright property of The Halluci Nation. Used with permission.
musical background:
- ÑAA YOSO ÑUU WOMAN NAHUAL Cha Nandee Pinotepa. By Mrs. Luis
Chad Valdez (Diné) is a writer currently residing in Denver, CO, and working as a bookseller. He holds a Master's degree in Fine Arts in Fiction with a minor in Native American studies from New Mexico State University where he was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. He has taught undergraduate courses in English and Creative Writing where he was able to share his love of Indigenous storytelling and understanding of epistemology. His writing has appeared in Windward Review, CBR.com among other outlets. This is Chads audio story called 'Split Decision'.
Language diversity, multilingual education, and the development of a deeper appreciation of linguistic and cultural traditions worldwide are all encouraged by the dissemination of mother tongues. The purpose of this program is to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue, and to remind us of the vital role that languages play in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage.
With colonization and migration comes intercultural exchanges. Religions are often brought from one area to another, and with this, new traditions and ways of worship. Radio producer Mathias Kowayu Tooko explores the impact of Christianity on his people.
Voice: Mathias Kowaya (Maasai)
Interviewees:
Parkipuny Kilel
Noorkireu Kurtut
Maruna Potot
Ngojie Masheren
Rikoni Mboro
Music: "Osidai" by Nalepo Shengena Kilel ,used with permission.
Young girls on the shore of Lake Victoria are taken advantage of by men who conduct business in the area.
The Amazon Theatrix ensemble is a group of young people from the Luo community in Kisumu, Kenya, who use Theatre to empower young girls.
We spoke to Jones Arodi Okoth.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee:
Jones Arodi Okoth (Luo)
"Anania2, by TheBaba Project used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
Can language be used as a skill? - The South African Nama Development Association is an organization who is recognizing the value in teaching youth the Nama language, an ancient language spoken by Indigenous Southern African people in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Lelani Jacobs (Nama)
"LIBRES Y VIVAS " by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission
Sound and Soil is a live, collaborative, and experimental performance that took place in Nababeep, South Africa. Situated in the far Northern Cape Province, 50 kms north of Springbok and 65 kms from the Namibian border post Vioolsdrift, the performance included a collaboration with the Nama Stap Dansers from Steinkopf. Craig Beckett from Indigenous Youth Exchange Africa attended the event.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee Craig Beckett (Naro, Nama)
"Lights in the forest" by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
The theme of the twenty-second session of the UNPFII will be “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health, and climate change: a rights-based approach”.
Cultural Survival attended the conference and spoke to some of the delegates who attended.
Produced by Avexnim Cojti (Maya K'iche) and Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Starlett Beardy (Pimicikamak Cree Nation )
Image: Cultural Survival
Music "Canmandalla" by Yarina, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission
Indigenous Women all around the world are subjected to marginalization and inequality.
As we commemorate International Women's Day, we celebrate the work of Lukretia Booysen (Griekwa, Nama), an Indigenous change maker who is the curator of The Koena Art Institute. Booysen tells us about the Institute's collaboration with the Iziko Art Museum.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Lukretia Booysen (Griekwa, Nama)
"Anania by the Baba Project, Used with Permission
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission
Of the estimated 7,000 known languages globally, 32 percent of them, which means as many as 2,300 languages are spoken by Indigenous Peoples living in Asia. But lately, because of many reasons, Indigenous languages are disappearing at an alarming rate globally.
Cultural Survival attended UNESCO's High-level Launch of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages in Paris in December 2022. In this interview, we spoke to Ulla Karin Sarri (Sami).
Produced by Avexnim Cojti (Maya K'iche')
Interviewee: Ulla Karin Sarri (Sami)
Remember Your Children by Salidummay, Used with Permission
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
Cultural Survival attended the High-level Celebration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. In this interview, we spoke to Binota Dhamai.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Binota Moy Dhamai (Jumma - Tripura)
Remember Your Children by Salidummay, Used with Permission
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
Cultural Survival attended the High-level Celebration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. In this interview, we spoke to Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild (Cree)
Remember Your Children by Salidummay, Used with Permission
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
Cultural Survival attended the High-level Celebration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. In this interview, we spoke to Leena Evic.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Leena Evic (Inuit)
Remember Your Children by Salidummay, Used with Permission
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
Cultural Survival attended the High-level Celebration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. In this interview, we spoke to Richard Kistabish.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Richard Kistabish (Anicinabe, Algonquin)
Remember Your Children by Salidummay, Used with Permission
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
A theatrical drama group and youth from Sandrift in the Richtersveld area of the Northern Cape staged a theatrical demonstration outside Alexander Bay on June 25th, 2022.
The demonstration was intended to show how indigenous communities oppose a proposed Special Economic Zone for the Boegoebaai Green Hydrogen Project.
In this podcast, Tristen Taylor & Nathalie Bertrams discuss the threatened cultures of the Danube Delta. The Danube River passes through Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, and Bratislava. As far as cultures go, much has been lost in the Delta. This podcast explores how culture and language can become entombed in the history books if diversity is not purposefully protected.
Produced by Tristen Taylor & Nathalie Bertrams
Permission to use all music in this podcast has been granted to the producers.
Over the past 25 years, Richard A. Grounds (Yuchi), Ph.D., has worked with Yuchi Elders to create new Yuchi speakers and bring his language back into his community, as well as advocating for Indigenous Peoples' language rights globally. He is currently Chair of the Global Indigenous Languages Caucus and Executive Director of the Yuchi Language Project. An article by Dr. Grounds on Yuchi language revitalization in the face of intellectual colonialism appears in Indigenous Languages and the Promise of Archives, from the University of Nebraska Press.
Leya Hale lives in St. Paul. She was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. She is Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and Navajo. She is a storyteller, a documentary filmmaker, and a producer with Twin Cities PBS (TPT), where she’s been working for the past eight years. Her film, "Bring Her Home," addresses the epidemic of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women in the United States.
The Yiaku people of Kenya have been living in the Makugodo Forest for a long time as hunter-gatherers.
In the past decade, the Kenyan government has asked them to officially manage the forest.
The forest has been thriving under their care.
What is not thriving, however, is the language of the Yiaku people
On the eve of International Mother Tongue Day 2022, we spoke to Moffat Kihoro who will tell us about an app that will help to revitalize the Yiaku language.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Voices: Moffat Kihoro
Technology has the potential to address some of the greatest challenges in education today. It can accelerate efforts towards ensuring equitable and inclusive lifelong learning opportunities for all if it is guided by the core principles of inclusion and equity. Multilingual education based on mother tongue is a key component of inclusion in education.
What are the challenges on the ground when it comes to teaching Indigenous languages?
Cultural Survival spoke to Erna Esme Honnes – a Khoekhoegowab teacher from the Damara people of Namibia who told us more.
In this radio program, Bush Radio 89.5 FM in Cape Town talks to Chris Nissen, The Human Rights Commissioner of South Africa on the importance of revitalizing Indigenous Languages.
Bush Radio is a popular and pioneering community radio station in South Africa. The station broadcasts programs in English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa from Salt River, Cape Town on 89.5 MHz FM, with a music and talk format aimed at the 18 to 39 age group.
In this podcast, Bush FM discusses the resurgence of Khoi and San languages in Southern Africa.
Produced by Bush FM.
According to ockbaywaywampum.com, "wampum is the bead cut from the Quahog shell, its distinctive purple and white bands create beautiful natural diversity in the material, which can be smoothed to a high polished shine. The Quahog clam is geographically limited to the coastal waters between Maine and Long Island and was harvested for food and made into jewelry by the coastal peoples of the North-Eastern region.
Indigenous women are the traditional keepers of Indigenous languages and cultures. During a three-day virtual conference organized by Cultural Survival, from October 5 - 7, 2021, titled, “Restoring and Protecting Our Native Languages and Landscapes”, over 30 Indigenous language practitioners and experts shared that Indigenous women have the greatest role in the revitalization and preservation of Indigenous languages.
In light of the upcoming United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages, Cultural Survival is held a 3-day virtual conference, "Restoring and Protecting Our Native Languages and Landscapes.” The purpose of this conference was to equip individuals working at the community level with tools and best practices for revitalizing and strengthening Indigenous languages and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge carried within them.
The conference was held from October 5th to October 7th, 2021.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris(Khoisan)
Deidre Jantjies is an Indigenous South African Film producer. Her animated web series called Stories van die wind (Stories of the wind), was recently screened at The Wairoa Maori Indigenous Film Festival in New Zealand. Deidre tells us about using animation to tell our own stories.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee Deidre Jantjies (Outeniqua)
Image: Screenshot from 'Stories van die wind"
Music: "Anania2" by the Baba Project, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by a Tribe called Red, used with permission.
Indigenous storytelling production company Wapanatahk Media has reached a television development deal with Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis, a Two-Spirit Indigenous couple and winners of season 7 of The Amazing Race Canada.
The factual series will follow Johnson and Makokis as they pursue their mission to educate the masses about Indigenous cultural teachings, helping Canadians embark on their own transformational journeys and welcoming them into Nizhoni Acres, the couple's dream property, which they are currently renovating using the prize money from Amazing Race.
Patrick Hunter is a Two-Spirit Ojibway artist from the community of Red Lake, in North Western Ontario. He paints in the Woodland style and has created his own company called Patrick Hunter Art & Design.
Produced by Sarah Hume (Cultural Survival Intern)
Edited by Shaldon Ferris (Khoi/San)
Interviewee: Patrick Hunter (Ojibway)
Image: Patrich Hunter courtesy of patrickhunter.ca/
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)
UNESCO calls on radio stations to celebrate World Radio Day's 10th anniversary and the more than 110 years of radio. Cultural Survival's Indigenous Rights Radio supported the Khwe people from the Okavango region in starting Khwedam Radio – a radio station that will assist the Khwe and !Xun speaking San Peoples to be able to communicate better with each other in remote regions of Namibia.
The Koena Art Institute celebrates creativity, openness, tolerance, and generosity. We aim to be inclusive where diverse cultural, artistic, social, and political positions are welcome. Committed to sharing the most thought-provoking modern, fine and contemporary art, and hope you will join us in exploring the art, ideas, and issues of our time.
Humanity NPC travelled to the home of Rooibos Tea in Wuperthal, South Africa, to talk to the Indigenous people there about the origins of the tea, and how it had been in their families for generations. This podcast also discusses the benefit sharing agreement, which promises that a benefit of the sales of the tea will go to the Indigenous Khoi and San people of the region and what it means to the people of Wuperthal.
Produced by Humanity NPC
Music by Collin Fredericks
Funded by OXFAM South Africa
Image by Tristen Taylor
Tanka bars are probably the most recognizable Native American food products in the U.S.. In this radio program, Dawn Sherman, CEO of Native American Natural Foods, takes us through the Tanka's history, past challenges, as well as present day aspirations.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Dawn Sherman (Lakota, Shawnee, Delaware)
Music : "Saami Drum" by Tyler, used with permission
"Burn your village to the ground" by A Tribe called Red, used with permission.
Patric Tariq Mellet is a heritage researcher whose search for his father roused his curiosity to find out who he was, and where he comes from. This journey has resulted in him becoming a subject matter expert on matters relating to the history of South Africa. In this interview, Diana Morat gets to know more about his book entitled, The Lie of 1652. Diana is a presenter at Eldos FM in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg, South Africa. Eldorado Park is a township where people of Indigenous as well as slave heritage have been relocated to, approximately 50 years ago, during the time of Apartheid.
World Tourism Day is commemorated each year on 27 September in order to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value. This year, tourism has been among the hardest hit of all sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the theme of the 2020 edition of international day is "Tourism and Rural Development." Undoubtedly, the tourism is one of the largest industries in the world. One out of every 10 jobs in the whole world is in the tourism industry and 30 percent of the world revenue comes from tourism.
Desde las radios comunitarias se producen y trasmiten los conocimientos ancestrales. En este programa podemos conocer sobre la Parteria que aún se sigue practicando en una de las comunidad Indígenas de Ecuador. !Escuche, descargué y comparta!
Imagen:
Capturado por Cultural Survival
Esta es una producción de Radio Cotacachi y distribuido por Cultural Survival. Este programa es gratuito para escuchar, descargar y compartir.
Radio is a powerful medium for celebrating humanity in all its diversity. For Indigenous Peoples in many countries, radio is the most accessible platform to have their say in the languages that they speak and understand. Radio, therefore, is a fundamental means of communication for Indigenous Peoples to maintain their languages and to exercise and defend their rights. Moreover, radio is a means of ensuring the right to information in all sectors of society.
Radio continues to be the medium of choice for poor and marginalized communities.
Community radios are by the people, for the people and owned by the people. On world radio day, Indigenous Rights Radio celebrates the power of radio.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris
Image: Khwedam Radio Services receiving training
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.
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.
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.
Hunger and obesity often co-exists in countries where a home cooked meal is far more difficult to attain than fast food, processed food and foods that are high in sugar. In line with the 2030 sustainable development Agenda, the theme for 2019's World Food Day is Healthy Diets for a Zero Hunger world.In this program, we will talk to Indigenous people, to see how they contribute to Sustainable Development goal number two, which talks about ending hunger and achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
October 16th is World Food Day. On this day, millions of people globally gather at demonstrations and exhibitions to observe World Food Day. Initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, world food day is one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. More than a casual series of festivals, World Food Day is organized to bring awareness about food systems, food production and distribution. Presently, following the UN’s call for action under the Sustainable Development Goals, the world is undertaking a global campaign to build a zero hunger society.
In this program, producer Dev Kumar Sunuwar talks about Sunuwar language, the mother tongue of Sunuwar Indigenous Peoples of Nepal, called Koits-lo. The Sunuwar are one of 59 Indigenous Peoples legally recognized by the government of Nepal. They live in the eastern part of Nepal, alongside of the Likhu, Sunkoshi and Khimti Rivers, mainly in the Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga districts. Sunuwar people call themselves “koits” in their mother tongue. According to the 2011 Census, The Sunuwar have a population of 57 thousand, of which only 18 thousand can speak their mother tongue.
Tharu is the mother tongue of the Tharu people, and it is divided into 2 categories, namely Rana Tharu and Dangaura Tharu, both belonging to the Indo-aryan language family. The Tharu peoples areamongst the largest indigenous communities in Nepal, they number 1.8 million people according to 2011 census. The Tharu are one of Nepal’s 59 Indigenous communities, comprised of 50 different clans with cultural differences. Each clan has slightly different dialects and tones when speaking their mother tongues. Among the 1.8 million, some 1.5 million speak their mother tongue.
This program includes short voice clips of four different languages spoken by four different sub-clans of Rai Indigenous communities of Nepal namely: Bantawa, Chamling, Kulung and Puma. Rai is one of Nepal’s 59 Indigenous Peoples, legally recognized by the government, but debate among Rai Indigenous communities still continues about Rai not being their ethnic identity, but posts given to the topmost leaders during the ancient kingship system of Nepal.
Khwedam is spoken by the Bwabwata San People in Namibia. There are also some speakers in Botswana and South Africa.
This program provides a sound clip of Khwedam, and gives some information about the Indigenous People who speak the language.
PRODUCTION
Shaldon Ferris (KhoiSan)
Indigenous Rights Radio Intro track features "Burn your Village to the Ground" by @a-tribe-called-red. Used with permission.
Music: Lights in the Forest by Yarina. Used with permission.
A short 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.
Naro is spoken by the Ncao Khwe , which means the red people, sometimes referred to as the San people of Botswana.
This program provides a sound clip of Naro, and gives some information about the Indigenous People who speak the language.
PRODUCTION
Shaldon Ferris (KhoiSan)
Indigenous Rights Radio Intro track features "Burn your Village to the Ground" by @a-tribe-called-red. Used with permission.
Music: Lights in the Forest by Yarina. Used with permission.
This radio program is part of a series of programs produced by Indigenous Rights Radio, to commemorate the International Year of Indigenous Languages, 2019. In this program, we showcase the Newar Indigenous Language which is called, Nepal-Bhasa. The Newar are one of the 59 Indigenous Peoples recognized so far by the government of Nepal. They are the original habitants of Kathmandu valley, the capital city of modern Nepal. The Newar people have diversity in terms of religion, rituals and culture, but share one common language.
A short 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.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is the UN’s central body dedicated to all matters relating to the rights of the approximately 370 million Indigenous Peoples around the World.
In 2019, The 18th session of the Forum in New York will highlight the year that has been declared the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
Cultural Survival's Avexnim Cojti spoke to Richard Grounds from the Yuchi Nation, who tells us how this commemoration came about.
The 18th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ran from 22 of April until 3 May 2019.
The theme was Traditional knowledge: Generation, transmission and protection.
This program is about the the importance of Indigenous languages in the digital era.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris (KhoiSan, South Africa)
Sound Clip: Alili Kiskitalo (Sami), Co-chair of IYIL steering committee.
Music : Whispers, by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
The world will indeed be a poorer place without the languages and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.
So it is necessary to celebrate and promote Indigenous Languages, thereby improving the lives of the peoples who speak the languages.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris (KhoiSan, South Africa)
Interview: Kaimana Barcase, Hawaii and Denver Breda, South Africa.
Music : Whispers by Ziibiwan, used with permission.
Picture: A man plays a Khwe finger piano, West Caprivi Strip. Photo by Julie Taylor 2007, Courtesy of Cultural Survival
Bartolina Sisa was killed in Bolivia in 1782. International Indigenous Women's Day is held each year on 5th September. Although women fight for their rights and the rights of their people, not enough recognition is given to the efforts of women.
Migrant families from Central America and elsewhere have had to endure being separated. Foster homes and shelters has become the temporary home to many of the kids, some of them being toddlers. Bureaucratic errors could leave the government officials unaware that a child’s parent is in the U.S. What happens when the parents cannot speak English or Spanish?
Resources
Rosie Sula introduces this report with a beautiful chant about the legends of Lake Sebu, an important feature within the traditional territory of the T'boli people of the Philippines.
February 13th is World Radio Day. Radio has contributed to the resilience of Indigenous communities all over the world-- hear some of these stories in this program commemorating the 6th annual World Radio Day.
Music
"Remember Your Children" by Salidummay. Used with permission.
Indigenous Rights Radio English Intro track features "Burn your Village to the Ground" by @a-tribe-called-red. Used with permission.
It was the Wampanoag People, the people of the first light, that encountered the Pilgrims when they arrived to Turtle Island (North America) from Europe in 1620. Since 1863, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States, mythologizing the violent events that followed European arrival into a story of friendship and mutual sharing. But the reality is that the Wampanoags’ generosity was met with genocide, and this truth has been systematically suppressed in the US education system, government, and popular culture.
Indigenous Rights Radio Producer Avexnim Cojtí Ren investigates the movement to repatriate sacred objects, remains, and cultural patrimony taken without consent from Indigenous Peoples by governments, collectors, and individuals. Concepts of ownership, histories of oppression, methods of legal recourse, and recent examples of repatriation attempts all play an important role in the prospects for the return of heritage items to Indigenous Peoples.
Radio continues to be a crucial tool for strengthening communities worldwide. Celebrate this uniquely powerful and uniting form of communication on World Radio Day, February 13th.
According to the UNDRIP, Indigenous People have the right to establish their own media in their own languages, and to have access to to all forms of non-indigenous media without discrimination (Article 16). Radio plays an especially crucial role in Indigenous communication, due to its potential to cross borders and terrain, as well as economic and social barriers.
Voices of Maize, by CS Radio Producer Shaldon Ferris. The importance of maize in South African culture is impossible to overstate. Listen to Shaldon Ferris describe some of the uses of this staple in his culture, and the variety cultures found throughout South Africa.
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.
Avexnim Cotji brings us interviews from a preparatory meeting in Guatemala in April of 2016 for members of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. At the meeting, they discussed local media as a crucial element of cultural preservation and the protection of Indigenous community rights.
Terra Madre means "Mother Earth" in Latin. The theme of the Indigenous Terra Madre conference was to celebrate the bio and cultural diversity that is the asset of Indigenous communities. The aim of this gathering is to share ideas, to come together, and be inspired or be warned, and to make people aware that our local food systems. It also seeks to build awareness that "the way we cooked in the past, and the wild plants around us are more important for our health than all the medicines we take.
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.
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.
Julian Kunnie reflects on how our ways are destroying life for future generations and on the need to honor and protect mother nature instead of turning her into a commodity.
Antonio Gonzales, director of the American Indian Movement AIM West, explains why the use of Indigneous Peoples as mascots is culturally offensive and can no longer be tolerated in the 21st century. We caught up with Antonio Gonzales at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples Issues, New York.
Indigenous Peoples have the right to access their religious and cultural sites, as well as receive reparation of their ceremonial objects and human remains.
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.
Alta Outcome Document, produced from the Global Indigenous Preparatory Conference at the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in Alta, Norway on 10–12 June 2013
These indigenous youth leaders from around the world say that everyone has some form of indigenous roots, and if those roots are disconnected, one must communicate with indigenous persons directly in order to begin to understand them. Indigenous people around the world share many common struggles but continue to fight for their rights.
Indigenous youth leaders from around the world send messages to their elders, stating that the messages passed on to them from their elders affects them greatly.
These Indigenous youth leaders voice the importance of continuing the fight for Indigenous rights and how it is vital for indigenous persons to understand and embrace the roots of their community.
States should work with indigenous communities to ensure that national laws reflect the rights of Indigenous Peoples as laid out in the UN Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Peoples have the right to live according to their worldview, principles and beliefs. They have sovereignty over their land, food, water and resources.
Join us at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in May 2013 in New York, as we interview youth leader Ta'Kaiya Blaney of the Sliammon FIrst Nation in British Colombia, Canada, about the right to Free, Prior, Informed Consent.