By Bobbie Chew Bigby (Cherokee Nation)

By Lucas Kasosi (Maasai, CS Fellow)

​Each year on February 2, the world observes World Wetlands Day, marking the 1971 adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran. What began as a modest international agreement has grown into a global framework for recognizing the ecological, social, and economic importance of wetlands, ecosystems once dismissed as wastelands, but now understood as essential to life on Earth.

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. 

By Prabindra Shakya (Newa) and Johnson Jament (Mukkuvar)

The Metals Company (TMC), a Canadian firm at the forefront of deep-sea mining, has rapidly expanded its operations across the Pacific, targeting areas vital to Indigenous and other coastal communities in Asia and the Pacific. Although the TMC is not yet commercially mining the seabed, they are pushing to begin mining aggressively – applying for U.S. permits in 2025 and conducting pilot collections (such as 2,000 tons for Nauru).

Guía práctica para los pueblos indígenas sobre el uso de las Directrices de la OCDE para proteger sus derechos

Los Pueblos Indígenas de todo el mundo se enfrentan a amenazas cada vez mayores derivadas de la extracción de recursos a gran escala, la agroindustria y los proyectos de infraestructura que se llevan a cabo en sus tierras. Estas actividades suelen provocar la pérdida de medios de subsistencia, la desestructuración de las comunidades y la erosión del patrimonio cultural.

Freelance journalism is growing increasingly global every year, but finding the right people for the right stories or projects can still be a challenge. In response, the Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) launched its Freelancer Database in September 2025, which is a searchable directory to support and spotlight IJA members while connecting them with vetted organizations.

Por Elisa Ribeiro (Pasante de CS)

“Creo que dar a los jóvenes la oportunidad de adquirir experiencia y desarrollar habilidades de liderazgo, aprender sobre su forma de vida tradicional y aumentar su autoestima puede allanar el camino para una generación de líderes destacados que participen en todos los aspectos del desarrollo comunitario”. 
Kim Spencer (becaria de CS)  

By Bryan Bixcul (Maya-Tz’utujil), SIRGE Coalition Global Coordinator

Por Mariana Kiimi Ortiz Flores (Ñuu Savi/Mixteca, Equipo de CS)​

With Native American Heritage Month well underway and Thanksgiving/National Day of Mourning occurring today, let us celebrate Indigenous brilliance, honor, and acknowledge the truth in history, recognize whose land we are on, and work towards true allyship.