October 2024 Newsletter
Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
On September 13, we celebrated the 17th anniversary of the General Assembly’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This milestone served as a crucial reminder about the importance of supporting Indigenous Peoples in their pursuit of self-determination. As we honor this important date, we continue to recognize that the ongoing implementation of UNDRIP is essential for fostering justice and equity. We commend our partners and relatives for their advocacy for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and communities worldwide.
Video Series
Yasnaya Elena Aguilar Gil is a member of The Christensen Fund’s Indigenous Leaders Program. She is an Ayuuk Indigenous writer, linguist, translator, researcher, activist, and member of COLMIX Collective. In this video, she talks about the importance of linguistic diversity and the linguistic rights of Indigenous Peoples. This video is part of a series, The Christensen Fund, filmed at this year’s United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Climate Week September 22-29
We are excited about the opportunity that Climate Week presented for Indigenous Peoples to share their voices in the climate dialogue. This year’s theme, “It’s Time,” highlighted the urgency for collective action and innovation. The Christensen Fund co-sponsored several events focused on Indigenous-led climate solutions and encouraged awareness about the importance of direct funding for Indigenous-led efforts.
Numerous in-person and virtual events occurred throughout the week, providing a platform for Indigenous perspectives.
Recent Partner News
Pastoralist Peoples’ Initiative recently organized a cultural festival for the Rendille People, whose culture and languages are threatened by modernization. The event attracted a huge attendance, including local and national leaders.
The Christensen Fund congratulates CIELO on their tenth anniversary on October 2. They have done amazing work with Indigenous groups across Mexico. Join the celebration!
Sicangu Co welcomed Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i (WKT) students back for the 2024-2025 school year! WKT is the only Lakota immersion school on the Rosebud Reservation, and this year, it has expanded to include a new kindergarten class, making it a K-4th grade school!
Forest Peoples Programme released a joint statement with Rainforest Foundation UK, Amnesty International, and Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy Programme (IPLP) welcoming the African Commission’s ruling that the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) violated Batwa peoples’ rights when it forcibly evicted them from their ancestral land in the 1970s to create the Kahuzi Biega National Park. It is a significant victory for the Batwa people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a step towards more inclusive conservation practices in the region.
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!
