Indigenous concerns discussed at the commencement of the 23rd United Nations Permanent Forum on these matters, from the 15th of April.
Busting Into the 23rd Session of Indigenous Power!
Mark your calendars, fellow warriors of justice! The 23rd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is roaring into action on April 15-26, 2024. It's all about amplifying Indigenous voices and taking a stand for self-determination!
After the relentless efforts of Indigenous leaders, the UNPFII was established through a resolution on July 28, 2000 [1]. Since its inception in 2002, it's been a platform for change and representation, allowing Indigenous communities to raise awareness, drive policy change, and shape how indigenous rights are implemented at local, national, and international levels. Over its 23-year journey, the UNPFII has coordinated and commissioned over 64 studies and reports, and published 60 works, and its members have worked to draft policies for UN agencies and made recommendations to other UN bodies.
This year, the focus is crystal clear – Enhancing Indigenous Peoples' right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth [2].
Get real! The real change takes place between the official talks, in the hallways. That's where the real conversations happen, where delegates, UN agencies, funders, and State representatives come together to forge change. As the old saying goes, the enemy of the people is not the man in the mask. It's the man who doesn't speak up. So, let's speak up now!
Are you ready to be heard? Here are some sick ways to get involved:
- Share your friggin' story! What issues are you facing in your indigenous community? Create a short video (up to 2 minutes) and post it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or wherever the cool kids hang out. Use the hashtags #UNPFII23 #WeAreIndigenous #Proud2BIndigenous. Share your snaps from this year's and past UNPFII sessions with similar hashies.
- Live the livestream! The wild opening ceremony will be streamed live at webtv.un.org on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 11:00 am. Don't miss it, or you're missing out!
- Party like it's AD 2024 with UNPFII side events! You can check out the list of events here, and join Cultural Survival at the following bangers:
a. Defend those who defend the land! This panel will bring the stories of murdered Indigenous Environmental Defenders to the forefront, share strategies to support their work, and protect their lives. Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 3:00-4:30 pm ET at Conference Room F, United Nations Headquarters.
b. Beyond Resources: Indigenous Women's Rights and Resilience in the Green Economy. This event will shed light on the challenges faced by Indigenous women, amplify their voices, explore empowerment pathways, and uphold their individual and collective rights. Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 3:00-4:30 pm ET at Conference Room 5, United Nations Headquarters. Register via this form.
c. 'Share Your Story' Thursday, April 18, 2024, 3:00-4:15 pm ET Conference Room 11, United Nations Headquarters. Indigenous Journalist Association and Grist will co-host an event providing a crash-course on messaging, communication, and working with reporters. For more info, email [email protected].
- Hang out in the Indigenous Media Zone, baby! The Permanent Forum Secretariat (SPFII) and the Department of Global Communications (DGC), in partnership with Cultural Survival, have hooked us up with this zone to report on the session through Indigenous worldviews, perspectives, and languages. Make sure to catch the panels and interviews livestreamed on Facebook and our website.
The Indigenous Media Zone will be open from Monday to Friday, April 15-19, 2024, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST in the UN Correspondents Association Room (3rd floor, Secretariat building, S-310).
Check out some planned panels at the Indigenous Media Zone:
a. Indigenous Peoples and the Energy Transition: Supporting Strategies for Self-Determination in the Face of a New Wave of Extractivism. Monday, April 15, 2024 3:00-4:00 pm ET.
b. Indigenous Youth Leaders: Defending and Promoting Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Lands, Languages, and Worldviews. Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm ET
c. Medios de comunicación comunitaria Indígenas y el derecho a la libertad de expresión. Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 2:00-3:00 pm ET
- Get your ass to a Parallel Event! Get a taste of what's going down with parallel events like:
a. Indigenous-led alternatives to state-led conservation (April 16, 2024 2:00 - 5:00 pm)
b. Shareholder Advocacy Leadership Training (SALT) Workshop: Protecting Lands, Resources and Indigenous Peoples' Rights (April 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm ET - REGISTER)
c. Empowering Indigenous Youth in the Energy Transition (April 18, 2024)
d. IJA hosts 'Share Your Story' training for UNPFII attendees (April 20, 2024 10am - 5pm ET)
Revolution ain't easy, but you ain't in this alone. Let's shake things up, have fun, and make some real change together. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to unleash your inner badass!
References:
[1] United Nations Economic and Social Council. (n.d.). United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues... Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/what-we-do/permanent-forum.html
[2] United Nations. (n.d.). UNPFII Theme for 2024. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/events/en/unpff/unpfii-23.shtml
- Delve deeper into policy-and-legislation discussions and gain insights into the political aspects of self-determination for Indigenous Peoples at the various side events during UNPFII session, such as the panel on Defend those who defend the land!
- Stay updated on the general-news of the 23rd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) by following the livestreams and live reports from the Indigenous Media Zone, which brings together Indigenous voices and perspectives on the important discussions taking place.
