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By Chenae Bullock (Shinnecock)

Indigenous Peoples hold tenure to over 25 percent of the world's land surface, which is home to about 80 percent of the remaining global biodiversity, all while making up just a bit over 6 percent of the human population. Investing in Indigenous communities can promote cultural continuity, economic empowerment, environmental protection, and social justice, leading to a more sustainable and equitable world for all.

Indigenous community media is essential for Indigenous Peoples’ reclamation and resistance movements worldwide. They contribute to securing respect for individual and collective rights, ensuring access to relevant, contextualized information and content in Indigenous languages, created and transmitted according to the interests, needs, and worldviews of the Indigenous communities they represent.

Yvy Pyte, 11 de octubre de 2023

Comunicamos a la opinión pública nacional e internacional los graves hechos que ponen en riesgo nuestras vidas y nuestros territorios ancestrales que personas ajenas a nuestra comunidad vienen realizando e instamos a las autoridades competentes a tomar las medidas urgentes que correspondan para el resguardo de nuestros derechos como pueblo indígena.  

Dear Presidents, Commissioners, and Rapporteur,

We, the undersigned organisations, represent Indigenous Peoples, afro-descendant peoples, and other peoples and communities who share an experience of collective ownership, management and use of our lands, territories and natural resources. Many of us are recognised as human rights, land and environmental defenders for our efforts to protect these lands, territories and resources.

Chad Valdez (Diné) is a writer currently residing in Denver, CO, and working as a bookseller. He holds a Master's degree in Fine Arts in Fiction with a minor in Native American studies from New Mexico State University where he was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. He has taught undergraduate courses in English and Creative Writing where he was able to share his love of Indigenous storytelling and understanding of epistemology. His writing has appeared in Windward Review, CBR.com among other outlets.

“Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is the first line of defense when investors and government officials seek to develop projects that may affect Indigenous communities, lands, territories, and resources. For this reason, Indigenous Peoples must be prepared to engage with FPIC from a fully informed, proactive stance. Indigenous Peoples must have their FPIC protocols ready, and be ready to lead engagement around FPIC on their terms.” –Securing Indigenous Peoples' Right to Self-Determination: A Guide on Free, Prior and Informed Consent

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