Dear Cultural Survival Community, 

Although rainforests cover only 6% of the Earth, they harbor over half of its plant and animal species. These vital, biodiverse regions regulate the global climate by collecting carbon and producing oxygen. For millions of Indigenous Peoples, rainforests are homelands, providing food, medicine, and cultural identity. Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge is crucial for forest sustainability and environmental resilience.

Creativity and craftsmanship are forms of resistance, memory, and collective healing in many Indigenous communities. Traditional art revitalizes ancestral knowledge and strengthens the social fabric, showcasing community knowledge as a tool for transformation in harmony with Mother Earth. In 2024, Cultural Survival supported two projects in Guatemala through our Indigenous Youth Fellowship program, where creativity, craftsmanship, and ancestral revival are acts of resistance and hope.

Cultural Survival's community includes people from all walks of life, with beautiful stories about why they decided to become advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights. Sharing these stories further connects our community, provides much-needed solidarity and validation to our staff and partners on the ground, and helps us inspire others to join our movement. We are excited to spotlight members and former interns of our community and highlight your contributions and perspectives through our Cultural Survival Spotlight series. 

Cultural Survival’s annual Indigenous Arts Bazaars, featuring one-of-a-kind handmade arts, music, and food from around the world, return to Newburyport, MA, and Tiverton, RI this July. Every handmade item at the Cultural Survival Bazaars tells a story: stories of people and their connection to land, community, languages, cultures, and spirits. 

Indigenous communities have a wealth of knowledge gained from generations of sustainable land management practices, making them invaluable leaders in reforestation and conservation efforts. As climate change and ecological decline become more pressing, Indigenous youth are stepping up as strong environmental stewards. They are leading reforestation projects grounded in ancestral wisdom and a deep connection to the land.

This year’s International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) theme is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.” It brings together cross-cutting issues such as biodiversity and climate, including an economy that supports environmental objectives.  This year's central message is to change strategies, initiatives, and action plans in these areas so that they contribute to achieving goals and positive outcomes, address inequalities, sustainable development, respect for traditional knowledge, and empo

In April 2025, Cultural Survival accompanied two Indigenous authorities from Bolivia, Pastor Carvajal (Aymara) from the Seque Jahuira Viacha Community in the Department of La Paz and Guadalupe Fernández (Quechua) from the Ayllu Acre Antequera, province of Poopó Department of Oruro, to the 24th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

By Edson Krenak (Krenak, CS Staff)

On May 9, 2025, the United Kingdom-based Business & Human Rights Resource Centre released its 2025 Transition Minerals Tracker. Updated annually, the Transition Minerals Tracker monitors human rights risks linked to major mining operations for key minerals used in renewable energy, electrification, and battery technologies.

Cultural Survival is excited to announce our 2025 cohort of Indigenous Youth Fellows as part of our Capacity Building Program.

Cultural Survival's community includes people from all walks of life, with beautiful stories to tell of your own about why you decided to become an advocate for Indigenous Peoples' rights. Sharing these stories further connects our community, provides much-needed solidarity and validation to our staff and partners on the ground, and helps us inspire others to join our movement. We are excited to spotlight members and former interns of our community and highlight your contributions and perspectives through our Cultural Survival Spotlight series.