Indigenous Youth Advocates Pursuing Autonomous Activism: Championing Self-Determination and Authentic Decision-Making
In the race against climate change, we're extracting crucial green energy minerals, but at what cost? With the rise of sustainable energy technology, minerals like lithium and cobalt have become indispensable resources in our quest for a greener future. However, as we accelerate this transformation, we're witnessing a heartbreaking violation of Indigenous Peoples' rights and the destruction of their ancestral lands. Mining companies, often operating illegally, set up shop in Indigenous territories without obtaining their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) - a fundamental right to self-determination.
This month we're shining the spotlight on our Indigenous Youth Fellows, who are making waves in their local communities thanks to Cultural Survival's Youth Fellowship Program. These inspiring individuals are standing up against the mistreatment of Indigenous communities, and their projects have sparked collaboration, knowledge sharing, and political activism that empowers and unites the people.
Name Withheld (Suyu Suras Nation) from Bolivia shows us that persistence pays off. Located in the Poopo Province, a mining company invaded the communities' territory in 2018 without their consent, leading to land contamination, drought, and the disappearance of vital water sources. To combat this exploitation and rights violation, Name Withheld took a stand as an elected representative of his territory, launching the "Kallpachikuna" project - meaning "we become stronger."
Through protests, workshops, and meetings, he raised awareness about collective Indigenous rights and FPIC, aiming for stronger communities and justice. After years of hard work, the community finally achieved a legal triumph. Today, the people are better prepared to face and resist any future extractivist projects.
Uakyrê Pankararu Braz (Pataxó and Pankararu) from Brazil is determined to protect her home, the Jequitinhonha Valley. The valley is occupied by Indigenous peoples, rural towns, and quilombola communities, but foreign lithium mining companies have moved in, causing an array of problems for the local people. From constant noise and dust, to the collapsing of homes, environmental pollution, restricted resources, rising costs, social tensions, and increased illegal activities - the people have suffered.
Uakyrê set out to make a difference with her "Youth Defending the Future in the Context of the Just Transition" project. She traveled through affected communities and spoke with young leaders, promoting awareness about Indigenous rights and FPIC. The project culminated in a powerful video showcasing the voices of local youth. They shared their challenges, concerns, and proposed solutions, rallying the people toward a brighter future.
The Wechekeche ka itrofillmongen (WKI) Organization from Chile aims to strengthen Indigenous youth identities and bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and contemporary activism. Partnering with Cultural Survival, they developed a project focused on Mapuche youth. Through workshops and community visits, young Mapuche empowered themselves to impact their territories and communities, paving the way for positive change.
The Indigenous Youth Fellows are our champions, bringing hope and change to their communities in Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile. They exemplify the importance of FPIC, and their courage and determination serve as a testament to the continued fight for justice and a truly sustainable future. Support their efforts and help ensure that FPIC is respected at every level.
- The Indigenous Youth Fellows, such as Name Withheld from Bolivia and Uakyrê Pankararu Braz from Brazil, are using their projects to advocate for environmental-science principles, particularly focusing on the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in the renewable-energy and finance industries, especially as they relate to climate-change mitigation efforts and the extraction of crucial minerals like lithium.
- The Wechekeche ka itrofillmongen (WKI) Organization in Chile is contributing to the cause by promoting the integration of traditional Mapuche knowledge with contemporary activism in the science of environmental-science, thereby empowering young Mapuche to effect positive changes in their communities, all while striving for a more sustainable future.
- In the face of industry's expansion into their territories, these Indigenous Youth Fellows are standing up against the violation of their rights, environmental degradation, and social injustices, thereby serving as champions for a greener future, one that respects the fundamental rights of Indigenous peoples and prioritizes a truly sustainable approach to climate-change solutions.
