In Tanzania, the Indigenous Maasai people have been facing displacement for a long time.
The most recent incident of land loss involves large numbers of Maasai peoples being forced to leave their ancestral homes to make way for a game reserve. The adverse effects of losing land will be felt for a long time. In this radio program, we uncover some reasons why Indigenous Peoples worldwide face extreme poverty.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Edson Krenak (Krenak)
Music: 'Whispers' by Ziibiwan, used with permission
On July 14, 1923, the Hereditary Chief of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Deskaheh Levi General (Cayuga), traveled to Geneva, Switzerland, to speak before the League of Nations. He sought to obtain international recognition of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (historically known as the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, composed of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations) as a sovereign Indigenous Nation governed by a hereditary council of chiefs.
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
The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is underway in New York, in April 2023.
The first meeting of the Permanent Forum was held in May 2002, with yearly sessions thereafter. The Forum usually meets for 10 days each year, at the UN Headquarters in New York. According to the ECOSOC resolution E/2000/22, the Forum may also meet at the UN Office in Geneva or at such other place that it decides.
Cultural Survival attended the permanent forum in April 2023, and spoke to some of the delegates who attended.
In this radio program, Cultural Survival speaks to Lorraine Netro who reminds us that our Elders taught us how to respect our environment.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Lorraine Netro (Vuntut Gwitchin)
Music: "LIBRES Y VIVAS by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
In this radio program, Cultural Survival speaks to Graeme Reed.
Graeme gives us an update on the development at COP27, pertaining to Indigenous Peoples.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee Graeme Reed (Anishinabe)
Music: "LIBRES Y VIVAS by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
In this radio program, Cultural Survival speaks to Peter Irniq. Peter says that Inuit Peoples still hunt, but it is not as safe to do so as it used to be, because of changing weather patterns.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Peter Irniq (Inuit)
Music: "LIBRES Y VIVAS by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
In this radio program, International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change co-chair Graeme Reed talks to us about the achievements of Indigenous Peoples at previous COP meetings, and what he expects from COP27.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Graeme Reed (Anishinaabe)
Music: "LIBRES Y VIVAS by MARE ADVETENCIA, used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
Indigenous Peoples are not just stakeholders; Indigenous Peoples are rights holders. Cultural Survival reiterates the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ access to direct participation at the same negotiation tables as nation states at the UNFCCC COP27, with the right to have a voice and vote, and the inclusion of references to human and Indigenous Peoples’ rights in all documents.
Cultural Survival also attended COP 27, and we spoke to Indigenous delegates at the Conference.
In this interview, we spoke to Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk.
Many Indigenous children were once cared for by their families and communities according to their cultural practices, laws, and traditions. It was the parents' responsibility to raise the children since children were seen as gifts from the creator. Families were closely involved in raising the child. Colonization, forced boarding schools, and State welfare systems have disrupted these important relationships. In this podcast, we hear from 20-year-old Dysin Spence (Peguis First Nation), who has spent a significant portion of his life in the welfare system in Canada.
Many people think climate change mainly means warmer temperatures. But temperature rise is only the beginning of the story. Because the Earth is a system, where everything is connected, changes in one area can influence changes in all others. The consequences of climate change now include, among others, intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms, and declining biodiversity.
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 (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Patrick Hunter (Ojibway)
Image: Patrich Hunter courtesy of patrickhunter.ca/
Clayton Shirt is a counsellor and Traditional native healer at University of Toronto, Canada. He is a pipe carrier, sweat lodge keeper and is a traditional healer since a young age. Cultural Survivals Avex Cojti sat down to interview Mr. Clayton shirt in Canada earlier in 2020, he tells us about his journey.
Music
"Burn Your Village to the Ground" by A Tribe Called Red. Used with permission.
"Lights in the forest", by Ziibiwan. Used with permission.
Cultural Survivals Indigenous Rights Radio got in touch with Professor Michael Yellowbird via Skype in July 2020 after hearing about how indigenous peoples in Brazil and indeed other places in the world, are struggling to come to terms with the less obvious effects of COVID-19.
Producer: Shaldon Ferris
Interviewee: Professor Michael Yellowbird
Music: Lights in the Forrest by Yarina. Used with permission.
"Burn Your Village to the Ground" by A Tribe Called Red. Used with permission.
Because of colonisation, many Indigenous Peoples face issues of discovering who they are, in terms of identity. Sometimes, this is as a result of education or religion.
Sometimes we question our own indigeneity, and perhaps, in some cases, there are reasons for this.
Each of us has a different past, a different coming together of events, that has led to who we are, and where we come from.
Cultural Survivals Avexnim Cojti spoke to Cathy Fournier, from the University of Torronto, in Canada.
On the 1st of December, every year, the international community observes a day that is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic.
As of November 2017, an estimated 36.7 million people worldwide are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global health issues.
This program looks at how HIV AIDS affects the International Indigenous community.
MUSIC
Sami Drum by Tyler. Used with permission.
Introduction: "Burn Your Village to the Ground" by A Tribe Called Red. Used with permission.
Indigenous solidarity has coalesced into a powerful movement thanks to the activism and perseverance of Indigenous leaders from communities around the world. Indigenous leaders that are defending land, language, culture, and the environment face acute persecution, both from governments directly and from extrajudicial actors.
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.
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.
UN Special Rapporteur Vicky Tauli Corpuz discusses the international trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership which is being negotiated by Canada,The United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. She confirms that Indigenous Peoples must be consulted before these deals are negotiated.
UN Special Rapporteur Vicky Tauli Corpuz discusses the international trade deal known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership which is being negotiated by Canada,The United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Singapore, Brunei, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. She discusses why governments are pushing for it, and its implications for Indigenous Peoples.
Chief Bellegarde speaks at UNFPII to bring to light the gap between Canada and its Indigenous Peoples in regard to the United Nations Human Development Index and the rights of indigenous peoples in Canada. Belgard works to close the gap between the wealth of Canada as a nation and Canada's indigenous peoples. He calls on Canada to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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.
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.