By Laura R. Graham, Edson Krenak, and Linda Rabben

By John McPhaul and Cultural Survival 

The Bribri community of Costa Rica, backed by the UN, strongly opposed the Costa Rican government’s decision to dismiss the criminal investigation of the March 2019 murder of Indigenous leader Sergio Rojas Ortíz. Costa Rican Public Ministry ordered the dismissal and the filing of the criminal case that is being followed on this crime, which occurred in the Indigenous Territory of Salitre in Buenos Aires, Puntarenas. 

Our Executive Director, Galina Angarova (Buryat) was recently part of Global Landscapes Forum's event on biodiversity. Listen to what Galina has to say about the importance of Indigenous people's stewardship in protecting biodiversity.

By Erica Belfi

By Dev Kumar Sunuwar

Almost four months have passed since Chitwan National Park authorities forcefully attempted to evict  ten Chepang families from buffer zones in South Central Nepal by burning down and destroying their houses.  Landless Chepang families are still awaiting permanent housing promised by many, including the government, following the incident. 

With Halloween, Day of the Dead, and Native American Heritage Month right around the corner, it’s a good time to talk about cultural appropriation. If you are unfamiliar with the concept or just want a refresher, here are some great resources.

1. Educate yourself! Read what Native writers have to say:

By Kerstin Sabene  
                                                                         

Por Norma Sancir

“Cuando yo empecé a crecer entonces con mi mamá y mis hermanos, acarreábamos el agua en tecomates, antes en esa época, era agua muy agradable, muy saludable, los ojos de agua los teníamos muy inmediatos de nuestras viviendas”. -- Francisco Ramírez, Autoridad Indígena Maya Ch’orti’ de Olopa, Chiquimula. 
 

By Dev Kumar Sunuwar

A recent Chitwan District Court order to imprison Chiran Kumar Budha, a Nepal Army soldier who was arrested for allegedly beating 24-year-old Raj Kumar Chepang (Chepang) from Piple Milan Chowk Ward, in Rapti Municipality, Chitwan, is a sign of hope for Chepang Peoples. Justice is usually rare in cases related to conservation in Nepal.
 

With Halloween and Day of the Dead around the corner, join us for a discussion on how Indigenous cultures and knowledge continue to be appropriated and exploited for profit. Topics covered will  exploitations of Indigenous arts and designs, spirituality, traditional medicine, food, and imagery.