Indigenous issues such as land grabbing, and healthcare, in the US receive little to no media coverage. This is because reporters do not consider these stories important enough. Tristan Ahtone (Kiowa), editor at large at Grist, suggests that hiring Indigenous journalists to work in newsrooms is the easiest way to address this problem. If that's not feasible, news organizations can collaborate with Indigenous reporters at other outlets. There are various ways to ensure that journalism is safeguarded and that the best possible work is produced.
Producer : Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
As the son of Pat Vegas - legendary founder of Native American, Billboard Top 100-charting band REDBONE - music has always been at the forefront of PJ’s life. PJ is proud to be one of the first Native American RnB singers to be recognized in the industry by MTV, having won the Video Music Award for “Best Video With a Message” in 2017, and since then, he has continued to make waves as an indigenous artist.
Peter Buffett is a Co-President of the NoVo Foundation, which works to foster a transformation from a world of domination and exploitation to one of collaboration and partnership. As part of this work, NoVo supports work in Indigenous communities across North America, including community-led programs that center Indigenous girls and women. Suzanne Benally (Navajo and Santa Clara Tewa) is a leader in U.S. Indigenous rights advocacy, and serves as the Executive Director of Cultural Survival.
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.
Vicky Tauli-Corpuz talks about her visit to Paraguay in her capacity as UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. She discusses the process and the preparation of these visits, highlighting the need for autonomy and security for the people she talks with.
It is an opportunity to meet with Indigenous communities, civil society organisations, government ministers and the private sector and encourage dialogue across society.
Antonio Gonzales has spent many years working with international forums for the rights of Indigenous Peoples. He has witnessed achievements but draws attention to the fact that indigenous communities across the world are struggling to bring their governments to the table for discussion. He is currently advocating for an International Convention.