In today's globalizing world indigenous peoples endure forced assimilation, discrimination, exploitation by powerful economic interests, and poorly considered development policies—all of which threaten their cultural survival. In many places indigenous peoples are marginalized and have little or no power or political voice to defend themselves. There is little accountability for governments and corporate interests that perpetrate abuses against them.

Cultural Survival partners with indigenous peoples to:

• secure their rights in international and national law;
• promote respect for their right to self-determination;
• ensure their right to full and effective participation in the political, economic, and social life of the country in which they live; and
• enjoy their rights to their lands, resources, languages, and cultures

For example, in Guatemala we are working with Mayan communities to establish a network of community radio stations that educate indigenous peoples about their rights and reinforce local languages, music, and customs. We also are assisting our partners to lobby the Guatemalan government to provide legal protection for the radio stations.

In Mongolia we are training the last reindeer herding peoples, the Dukha, to negotiate with government officials to secure their rights. Last year a Dukha delegation persuaded the government to build a health clinic in the herders’ extremely remote mountain territory.

In addition, we help heighten our partners' effectiveness when they operate in the international arena, and provide indigenous peoples with independent, accurate information that they need to bring about change.

We also publish information about indigenous peoples for the public as a means to expand global awareness of indigenous peoples' rights and cultures, and garner support for Cultural Survival's work.