For Immediate Release
Contact:
Agnes Portalewska
agnes@cs.org, 617-441-5400
Cultural Survival, Indigenous Rights Organization, Announces New Executive Director
September 12, 2019 (Cambridge, MA) -- After an exhaustive international search, Cultural Survival’s board of directors has named Galina Angarova as the new executive director of the organization—the second Indigenous director Cultural Survival has had. Galina Angarova is a representative of the Buryat People, a Russian Indigenous People. She comes to Cultural Survival after serving as program officer at the Swift Foundation. Before, Galina worked as policy and communications advisor for Tebtebba, the Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education based in the Philippines. She has represented the Indigenous Peoples’ Major Group at the United Nations on issues such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Post 2015 Development Agenda and has led Indigenous experts to review safeguards for Indigenous Peoples for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Green Climate Fund. Prior, Galina was the Russia program director at Pacific Environment and organized direct actions to block pipeline construction in the Altai region of Siberia, to close a toxic paper mill on Lake Baikal, and to stop a hydro-dam from flooding Evenk Peoples’ lands. Galina holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico. She served on the board of International Funders for Indigenous Peoples for seven years. Galina will commence her role on October 1.
“Galina Angarova is an outstanding Indigenous activist who will carry on and extend the 47- year history of Cultural Survival’s numerous partnerships with Indigenous nations. She speaks multiple languages and is familiar with Indigenous issues in the Americas, Russia, United Nations, and other places around the world. We look forward to Galina’s leadership which will support an increasing global presence and effectiveness of Cultural Survival’s ability to support Indigenous goals of self-determination and self-governance," said Duane Champagne (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), president and chair of Cultural Survival’s Board of Directors.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful to the board and staff of Cultural Survival for this opportunity. I fully understand the degree of responsibility and the amount of work that needs to be done in order to further raise visibility of Indigenous Peoples and their issues, elevate their voices and their solutions to climate change, resource management, issues of food sovereignty, health, education, culture and other burning challenges on the global scale. Even though I am going to be behind the wheel, I will rely on support both within the organization and our allies in the field - Indigenous-led organizations, NGOs, civil society, private and public foundations, donors, and like-minded individuals,” said Galina Angarova.
"Galina will bring her innovative thinking and commitment to the world’s Indigenous Peoples to Cultural Survival, as demonstrated by her service at Swift Foundation," said Jennifer Astone, executive director of the Swift Foundation.
Cultural Survival has launched a Leadership Transition Fund to support the new leader and organization to go through the transition period, build on successes, guide the organization to new work to address the realities of the ever changing world, and come up with an updated strategic direction. All are invited to support joint efforts and donate to the Leadership Transition Fund and ensure the success and longevity of Cultural Survival.
About Cultural Survival
Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience since 1972. Cultural Survival envisions a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance. For more information, visit www.cs.org.
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