August 2024 Newsletter
The 17th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides expert advice and studies to the United Nations Human Rights Council to ensure the rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected on a global scale. EMRIP was established by the Human Rights Council in 2007. EMRIP meets annually in furtherance of its role to conduct studies to advance the promotion and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights by clarifying the implications of key principles, such as self-determination and free, prior and informed consent; examine good practices and challenges in a broad array of areas pertaining to Indigenous Peoples’ rights; and suggest measures that States and others can adopt at the level of laws, policies and programmes.
At this year’s session, the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) organized a panel discussion. The panel aimed to highlight the current status of implementing the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Asia and emphasize its significance, given that Asia is home to more Indigenous Peoples than all other regions of the world combined.
Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) organized multiple side events and panel discussions during the session. These included a dialogue on the rights of Indigenous Peoples in post-conflict situations and their involvement in peace negotiations, agreements, and accords.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the (EMRIP) work together to promote and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights globally. While the Special Rapporteur focuses on country-specific situations and thematic studies, EMRIP provides expertise and advice to the UN Human Rights Council on Indigenous issues. Both mechanisms often coordinate their efforts to address pressing concerns affecting Indigenous communities worldwide.
Francisco Calí Tzay, the current UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, has called for a moratorium on all carbon trading until the markets can guarantee that all actors will respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. This statement exemplifies the kind of advocacy work undertaken by the Special Rapporteur in collaboration with EMRIP. For more comprehensive information on the UN Special Rapporteur’s work and recent developments, please refer to the latest issue of The Indigenous World, published by the IWGIA.
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) held consultations on a set of principles being developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), designed to guide private conservation actors to uphold human rights within conservation funding activities. IITC’s work to gather feedback from Indigenous Peoples worldwide is a crucial effort to ensure the rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected in the creation of global conservation standards.
At the 17th Session of EMRIP and always, we commend our partners and their allies for the tireless and important work they do every day to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
New! Video Series
In the coming months, we will share a series of videos highlighting perspectives of our leaders and our partners. Our first video features our Partner-Trustee, Ikal Angelei. Ms. Angelei is a prominent environmental advocate from Kenya, and is the co-founder and Director of Friends of Lake Turkana, a grassroots organization that seeks to foster social, economic and environmental justice in the Lake Turkana Basin. Ms. Angelei won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her advocacy on behalf of Indigenous communities in Northern Kenya. Watch here.
Robert T. Coulter, Executive Director of the Indian Law Resource Center, Retires
The Christensen Fund sends its most sincere congratulations to Robert T. Coulter upon his retirement as Executive Director at the Indian Law Resource Center (“ILRC”), an organization he founded and led for 46 years. Mr. Coulter steered ILRC through decades of landmark advocacy, litigation, and policy reform efforts. His legal acumen and unwavering commitment to justice have enabled ILRC to become a prominent voice in the fight for Indigenous rights, both within the United States and around the globe.
His work has also had a global impact, contributing to the recognition of Indigenous rights in international forums. His involvement in the drafting and promotion of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a testament to his dedication and influence. The Christensen Fund Trustee, Terri Henry, also a longtime Trustee of the ILRC, noted, “the adoption of UNDRIP marked a significant milestone in the global Indigenous rights movement, and UNDRIP would not have been possible without his tireless advocacy and brilliant mind.”
Mr. Coulter’s relentless pursuit of justice, strategic and compassionate approach, has inspired and empowered the fight for Indigenous rights. We are forever grateful for his legacy and work. We have supported ILRC since 2013, and are committed to continuing our strong support as it embarks on its next chapter of leadership.
Recent Partner News
Our partner, Tocabe Indigenous Marketplace, connects people to Indigenous ingredients and ready-made meals. They have just expanded their “Seed to Soul” philosophy–purchasing from Native producers to promote food sovereignty, strengthen local economies, and revitalize Indigenous cultures – to children’s meals with Little Harvest. Our kids have tested and they will tell you: the meals are delicious!
Our partner Tequio Jurídico supported the launch of the Chontal radio station–Jlijualay Tsomé 95.9––carrying the Chontal voices through the forests and villages of Oaxaca. Watch Tequio Jurídico’s Executive Director, Aracely Carbajal, talking about the Indigenous Chontal community-based radio station process.
The Water Channel featured the unique stories of our partner IMPACT Kenya’s RESTORE-RTF Project, showcasing the community impacts of direct financing for Indigenous Peoples in Africa.
If Not Us Then Who has launched Season 2 of their “Indigenous Impact Storytellers” podcast to celebrate the resilience and diverse narratives of Indigenous Peoples across the globe. Take a listen!
The 17th Session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) provides expert advice and studies to the United Nations Human Rights Council to ensure the rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected on a global scale. EMRIP was established by the Human Rights Council in 2007. EMRIP meets annually in furtherance of its role to conduct studies to advance the promotion and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights by clarifying the implications of key principles, such as self-determination and free, prior and informed consent; examine good practices and challenges in a broad array of areas pertaining to Indigenous Peoples’ rights; and suggest measures that States and others can adopt at the level of laws, policies and programmes.
Our Partners at EMRIP
At this year's session, the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) organized a panel discussion. The panel aimed to highlight the current status of implementing the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Asia and emphasize its significance, given that Asia is home to more Indigenous Peoples than all other regions of the world combined.
Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) organized multiple side events and panel discussions during the session. These included a dialogue on the rights of Indigenous Peoples in post-conflict situations and their involvement in peace negotiations, agreements, and accords.
Read the statement presented by Rachana Sam on behalf of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus.
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the (EMRIP) work together to promote and protect Indigenous Peoples' rights globally. While the Special Rapporteur focuses on country-specific situations and thematic studies, EMRIP provides expertise and advice to the UN Human Rights Council on Indigenous issues. Both mechanisms often coordinate their efforts to address pressing concerns affecting Indigenous communities worldwide.
Francisco Calí Tzay, the current UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, has called for a moratorium on all carbon trading until the markets can guarantee that all actors will respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. This statement exemplifies the kind of advocacy work undertaken by the Special Rapporteur in collaboration with EMRIP. For more comprehensive information on the UN Special Rapporteur's work and recent developments, please refer to the latest issue of The Indigenous World, published by the IWGIA.
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) held consultations on a set of principles being developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), designed to guide private conservation actors to uphold human rights within conservation funding activities. IITC's work to gather feedback from Indigenous Peoples worldwide is a crucial effort to ensure the rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected in the creation of global conservation standards.
At the 17th Session of EMRIP and always, we commend our partners and their allies for the tireless and important work they do every day to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The 23rd United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Twenty-Third Session: April 15-26, 2024
This April, The Christensen Fund’s entire board and staff came together with our partners to participate in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Our Board made the decision to gather everyone together with our partners during this year’s Permanent Forum to manifest our deeply-held commitments and values to stand in solidarity with our partners in our shared work. We were also fortunate to harness this unique opportunity to listen, learn, and deepen our connectivity to the organizations and communities we serve.
UNPFII 2024
Established in 2000 by the United Nations following longtime advocacy by Indigenous Peoples, the Permanent Forum carries out its mandate to address Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights. The Permanent Forum is one of the three UN bodies specific to Indigenous Peoples (others are the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.) The work of the Permanent Forum is guided by a thematic focus, which in 2024 is “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth.”
The Christensen Fund Board of Trustees at UNPFII
Through this thematic lens, in the days leading up to the Forum itself, we were honored to convene a series of discussions on our partners' important work and expertise on several critical topics, including: Upholding Indigenous Rights: Navigating the United Nations Framework (with International Indian Treaty Council, Permanent Forum members, and COLMIX Collective); Financing a Future Just Transition: Sustainable Development and Advancing Indigenous Rights in the Green Economy (with AMAN and REPALEAC); and Implementing UNDRIP Worldwide - (with our cohorts of Indigenous Leaders).
The Christensen Fund Partners at UNPFII
The Permanent Forum is an intense two week programme of work for our partners, and we are grateful to have also hosted a joyful celebration to welcome our partners who traveled from far and wide to New York, including:
Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Foundation, AWE TIBUAME A. C., Charapa, Coalition of Large Tribes, Four Directions, Consultoría Técnica Comunitaria, Cultural Survival, Inc., Federación Indígena Empresarial y Comunidades Locales de México. A.C., First Peoples Worldwide, Forest Peoples Programme, Foro para el Desarrollo Sustentable AC, Grist, If Not Us Then Who, International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, International Indian Treaty Council, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, Land Is Life, Native American Rights Fund, National Congress of American Indians, Native Hawaiian Philanthropy, Pastoral Women's Council, re:wild, The Pawanka Fund, The Tenure Facility, Traditional Ecosystems Survival Tanzania, Ujamaa Community Resource Team, Wataniba, and so many more! We were also honored to co-host the Permanent Forum’s annual cultural celebration with longtime partner Land is Life.
The Christensen Fund's UNPFII Floor Statement
The Christensen Fund, in solidarity with our partners and Indigenous Peoples worldwide, also presented a statement on the floor of the
United Nations during the Permanent Forum to amplify the the concerns of Indigenous Peoples as to donor activities, and the need for donors to respect Indigenous Peoples' rights as a nonnegotiable minimum standard in all pressing matters that affect them.
A video of the statement can be viewed here.
We are, once again and as always, awed and humbled by the incredible work of our amazing partners. We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to share space alongside them at the world’s largest annual gathering of Indigenous Peoples.
Additional News From The Christensen Fund Partners and Leaders:
-The Christensen Fund Publishes its Annual Report - The Christensen Fund's 2023 Annual Report: Supporting Indigenous Rights
-Fawn Sharp Appointed to the Nature Conservancy’s Global Board of Directors
-Oweesta Awarded $156,120,000 through the federal "Solar For All" Program to help continue to bring sustainable energy to Indian Country
-Indigenous Peoples Rights International's Indigenous Peoples and the Just Transition conference in NY was a huge success. Read more about it here.
-The Christensen Fund Makes an Investment in TAHITO
-The Christensen Fund participated in the Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN) annual convening Funding Futures Festival at Tbilisi, Georgia, April 23-26, where we networked, shared ideas and participated along with our partners FIMI, Fondo Defensores, EDC, and Cultural Survival
The Christensen Fund's 2023 Annual Report: Supporting Indigenous Rights
The Christensen Fund is excited to share our 2023 annual report with our colleagues around the world. More so than ever before, our values are rooted in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). To support the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples, we prioritize Indigenous-led organizations, including Indigenous-led funds.
In our practice of trust-based philanthropy, we almost always provide general operating support grants, maintain flexible requirements and criteria, and prioritize joint learning rather than stringent monitoring and evaluation. We strive to create connections between communities and movements at the grassroots, subnational, national and international levels.
Thanks to our Board, staff, philanthropic colleagues and partners around the globe for informing our strategy and helping us reflect on all the learning that occurred in 2023.