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By Sandra Peláez (CS Intern)

The Camentsa Shnan Wabuatmeng Indigenous Association is an organization composed of members of the Kamëntsá Peoples—primarily midwives, traditional healers (sobanderas), medicinal knowledge keepers, traditional doctors, and apprentices—both women and men. The Kamëntsá, who refer to themselves as Kamuentsa Ÿentsá, Kamëntšá Biÿá (Peoples of this place, with their own thought and language)—are an Indigenous Peoples living in the Sibundoy Valley, Colombia.

On April 20-May 1, 2026, the 25th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will take place at the UN Headquarters in New York. The annual session is the third-largest meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York. It brings more than 2,000 Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, Member States, UN agencies, and other stakeholders together every year to discuss and cover Indigenous issues.

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 Preeti Vasudevan

“Well, they put Jesus on the Cross as he was so handsome because they were jealous of their wives [falling for him]...”

With peals of laughter, Margo Real Bird (Crow) told us this story of how her father introduced Jesus to her as a young, innocent girl. She was 82 then, rocking back and forth in a chair at the Big Horn County Historical Museum in Hardin, Montana, when we were filming her memories. None of us could stop laughing that afternoon.

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