Cultural Survival congratulates Board Member, Grand Chief Edward John, on his appointment as Chairperson of the 11^th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). This year's session of the Permanent Forum is taking place at United Nations in New York from May 7-May 18. This is the first time the UNPFII has elected a chair from from North America. John will serve a three year term.

On May 4, 2012, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, concluded his official twelve-day visit to the United States. This is the first time a UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has visited the United States to investigate human rights abuses of Indigenous Peoples. In the statement below released on May 4, 2012, he urged the United States to strengthen federal and state measures to address the significant issues affecting Native American, Alaska Native and Hawaiian peoples throughout in the country. Mr.

The newly elected President of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina and the 158 members of the Guatemalan Congress took office in February of this year. Since then, conflicts between the major political parties have paralyzed the Congress.  Six pieces of legislation, backed by a broad coalition of Indigenous and small farmer’s organizations, remain pending from the previous congress. These bills would protect sacred sites, promote community controlled rural development, and create broadcast licenses for community radio stations.

The president of Guatemala met with leaders of the community radio movement and participants in the Indigenous and Campesino March  on April 19^th  in follow-up to the demands brought by marchers during their nine-day trek from Coban, Alta Verapaz to Guatemala City at the end of

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Professor James Anaya, will carry out an official visit to the United States of America from April 23 to May 4, 2012. He will examine the human rights situation of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians (estimated population of 2.7 million). His visit consists of meetings and consultations with federal and state government officials, as well as with Indigenous nations and their representatives in the Southwest, Midwest, Alaska, Pacific Northwest and Washington, D.C.

By Matt Gilbert

Most would agree Native suicide is the pressing issue of all in rural Alaska. In the Athabascan and Yupik regions, it has been a grave and growing concerning for decades. Native leaders raised it as an emergency during the 2010 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. I spoke to Inupiaq, Yupik, and Athabascan youth and Elders across the state and they had much to say.

Anuak refugees from Ethiopia are reporting mobilization of national military and police forces in the Gambella region, and increasing violence there.

On March 13^th the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, visited Guatemala, giving an audience to the grievances of the Indigenous peoples in the country during a visit to the highland town of Totonicapan. 

Historically, Cultural Survival’s mission has always been to partner with organizations that protect and advocate for Indigenous people who are victims of racism and discriminatory practices.

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination    

By Matthew Chuckran
 

Today, March 8th is International Women's Day, first celebrated by the United Nations in 1975. Today is an opportunity to celebrate our mothers, nieces, sisters, and daughters, and all the contributions that women have made since the beginning of time. Indigenous women across the globe are the keepers of knowledge essential for the survival and sustainability of our planet.