Indigenous peoples in Itogon, Benguet province, in the Cordillera region of the Philippines, have been struggling against large-scale corporate mining that endangers their ancestral lands, resources, and ways of life for more than a century. Even today, they continue to wait for social justice. The Benguet Corporation, earlier known as Benguet Consolidated Inc— one of the oldest top-producing gold mining companies founded in 1903 initiated the first underground gold mining operations in Antamok in 1907. The corporation expanded its operation to Acupan and Balatok in 1927.
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.
A year ago, UN human rights experts expressed grave concerns about the continuous encroachment on traditional Maasai lands and housing, accompanied by a lack of transparency in, and consultation with the Maasai Indigenous Peoples, during decision-making and planning.
The Bonn Climate Change Conference took place from June 5th to June 15th, 2023. The conference builds on the mandates that have emerged from COP 27 in Egypt in 2022. Cultural Survival's Edson Krenak attended the conference and spoke to Sele Tagivuni (iTaukei) from Fiji.
Produced by Edson Krenak (Krenak)
Edited by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Sele Tagivuni (iTaukei)
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
The Bonn Climate Change Conference is hosting a large number of mandated events, and continues discussions on issues of critical importance, such as global stocktake, global goal on adaptation, just transition, loss and damage, and the mitigation work program. Cultural Survival's Edson Krenak interviewed Simson Kapembe.
Produced by Edson Krenak (Krenak)
Edited by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee: Simson Kapembe (San)
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.
The International Day for Biological Diversity has gained global prominence through the efforts of the United Nations, governments, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, non-governmental organizations, and concerned individuals. Each party has brought its innovative solutions to the biodiversity crisis to the forefront of global conversations on sustainable development. In this radio program, we hear from Aslak Holmberg(Sami) and Giovanni Reyes(Kankaney Igorot).
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Image: Canva (free use)
Press freedom is of major concern to Indigenous journalists. They are seeking this freedom so that they can report freely in their communities and their local and national governments. When Indigenous Peoples are facing injustices, it is Indigenous media and journalists who are at the frontlines to tell their stories, but many Indigenous journalists are facing obstacles with regard to free press in their communities. On this World Press Freedom Day, Francine Compton, Associate Director of the Native American Journalists Association speaks to Cultural Survival.
Democracy and justice cannot exist without freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Today, by and large, the mainstream media is owned and controlled by socially and economically powerful people, resulting in a lack of access, voice, and participation of Indigenous Peoples. On the auspicious day of World's Press Freedom Day, Indigenous broadcasters call attention to the right of Indigenous Media, Article 16 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
The transition to a different economic growth model is necessary, but this cannot be carried out at the expense of the rights of Indigenous peoples and communities. Cultural Survival spoke to Gideon Sanago.
Produced by Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Sunuwar)
Interviewee: Gideon Sanago (Maasai)
Image: Cultural Survival
Music "Remember Your Children", by Salidummay, is used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission