From September 24-27, 2026, Cultural Survival was proud to be part of Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy. Organized by Slow Food International, Città di Torino, and Regione Piemonte, Terra Madre brought together over 1,500 delegates from 125 countries to "celebrate biodiversity, share stories, and reaffirm the power of food to build bridges across communities, cultures, and borders."
This year’s theme was Biodiversity. Indigenous Peoples are the original stewards of biodiversity. 476.6 million Indigenous people make up just 6.2% of the global population but manage 25% of Earth's land surface. Indigenous territories hold over 40% of all Key Biodiversity Areas (according to the World Resources Institute). Over 60% of the global food supply comes from agricultural crops first developed and cultivated by Indigenous Peoples in the Americas.
"From seed guardians in Latin America and Indigenous communities safeguarding ancestral knowledge to young leaders strengthening food systems in Somalia, their stories remind us that biodiversity is not only about what we grow. It’s about who we are, what we carry forward, and how we choose to live together," stated Slow Food.
Through the Slow Food Indigenous Peoples’ Network, Indigenous communities share knowledge, lived experiences, ways of caring for the land that have been passed down through generations, and build solutions grounded in their own realities and territories. Through assemblies, Advisory Council meetings, and conversations across regions, the Indigenous Peoples’ Network creates opportunities to learn from one another, share challenges, celebrate successes, and imagine new possibilities for Indigenous food systems. Food sovereignty begins with the people who safeguard the land, carry ancestral knowledge, and nurture their communities.
Showcasing Indigenous Art
The Cultural Survival Bazaars were proud to showcase the work of four of our artists: ANARO (Ashaninka) and Manitas Creativas (Matsigenka) from Peru, silversmith Philbert Begay (Diné/Navajo) from the U.S., and Afri-Root Collective (Baganda & Acholi) from Uganda.
Indigenous Media Zone
Cultural Survival's team also organized an Indigenous Media Zone to interview Indigenous delegates attending the event and learn about their work to achieve food sovereignty in their communities. Listen to the conversations below.
In English
En español
In Italian
