December 2024 Newsletter
Dear colleagues,
As we experience the powerful moment of solstice, we carry a profound sense of reflection and urgency in this sacred time. We are, as always, inspired by our partners and their impactful work. We share below highlights from the last months.
Best wishes for the winter holidays, and thank you for your continued partnership.
Carla F. Fredericks
CEO
Recent Partner News
Colectivo Mixe has launched the first Indigenous-owned publishing house, NANOKY. This house will have editorial services and a printing press that will focus on the production of Mixe language books and other didactic materials for teaching and learning the Mixe language.ated the 17th anniversary of the General Assembly’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This milestone served as a crucial reminder about the importance of supporting Indigenous Peoples in their pursuit of self-determination. As we honor this important date, we continue to recognize that the ongoing implementation of UNDRIP is essential for fostering justice and equity. We commend our partners and relatives for their advocacy for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and communities worldwide.
IMPACT Kenya, Namati, and Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative gathered to discuss critical issues regarding protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the African continent at the fourth Community Land Summit.
IllumiNative continues its groundbreaking work in building power for Native Peoples. They continue to build their resource library to enable others to join the movement to amplify a new narrative about Native peoples in the media, pop culture, K-12 education, and other critical sectors.
CBS has featured the People of the Sacred Land’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Education Commission and its impressive and critical work to restore justice and healing to native peoples.
Re:Wild recently announced the return of Polynesian Storm-petrels, ground-nesting seabirds also known as White-throated Storm-petrels to Kamaka Island, French Polynesia, after 100+ years’ absence thanks to a successful restoration and rewilding project.
The Forest Tenure Funders Group Annual Report 2023-2024 describes our collective progress toward meeting the $1.7 billion COP26 Pledge, supporting land tenure and forest guardianship for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in tropical forest regions.
The Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, REPALEAC, Indigenous Peoples Rights International, International Work Group for Indigenous Affair, Sirge Coalition, International Indian Treaty Council, Cultural Survival, and many others attended the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to strengthen and advocate for support of rights and direct financing to Indigenous Peoples.
October 2024 Newsletter
Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
On September 13, we celebrated the 17th anniversary of the General Assembly’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). This milestone served as a crucial reminder about the importance of supporting Indigenous Peoples in their pursuit of self-determination. As we honor this important date, we continue to recognize that the ongoing implementation of UNDRIP is essential for fostering justice and equity. We commend our partners and relatives for their advocacy for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and communities worldwide.
Video Series
Yasnaya Elena Aguilar Gil is a member of The Christensen Fund’s Indigenous Leaders Program. She is an Ayuuk Indigenous writer, linguist, translator, researcher, activist, and member of COLMIX Collective. In this video, she talks about the importance of linguistic diversity and the linguistic rights of Indigenous Peoples. This video is part of a series, The Christensen Fund, filmed at this year’s United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Climate Week September 22-29
We are excited about the opportunity that Climate Week presented for Indigenous Peoples to share their voices in the climate dialogue. This year’s theme, “It’s Time,” highlighted the urgency for collective action and innovation. The Christensen Fund co-sponsored several events focused on Indigenous-led climate solutions and encouraged awareness about the importance of direct funding for Indigenous-led efforts.
Numerous in-person and virtual events occurred throughout the week, providing a platform for Indigenous perspectives.
Recent Partner News
Pastoralist Peoples’ Initiative recently organized a cultural festival for the Rendille People, whose culture and languages are threatened by modernization. The event attracted a huge attendance, including local and national leaders.
The Christensen Fund congratulates CIELO on their tenth anniversary on October 2. They have done amazing work with Indigenous groups across Mexico. Join the celebration!
Sicangu Co welcomed Wak̇aŋyeja Ki Ṫokeyaḣc̄i (WKT) students back for the 2024-2025 school year! WKT is the only Lakota immersion school on the Rosebud Reservation, and this year, it has expanded to include a new kindergarten class, making it a K-4th grade school!
Forest Peoples Programme released a joint statement with Rainforest Foundation UK, Amnesty International, and Indigenous Peoples’ Law and Policy Programme (IPLP) welcoming the African Commission’s ruling that the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) violated Batwa peoples’ rights when it forcibly evicted them from their ancestral land in the 1970s to create the Kahuzi Biega National Park. It is a significant victory for the Batwa people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a step towards more inclusive conservation practices in the region.