On April 20-May 1, 2026, the 25th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) took place. This year’s session theme focused on "Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict.” Over 1,000 delegates attended despite funding cuts and visa and travel challenges in the current political climate, raising concerns over the lack of implementation of the Declaration.
Cultural Survival was on the ground, working to amplify Indigenous voices and Indigenous-led solutions. We partnered with the UNPFII and UNDESA to run the Indigenous Media Zone, hosted and cohosted several side events, parallel events, and discussions, and supported our fellows and grant partners in their advocacy efforts by hosting events and organizing meetings with several government missions and key experts. Thank you to all who crossed paths with us and collaborated with us!
We are grateful to have been able to support the participation of several partners: Samuel Stanely (San), Chairperson of the Indigenous Ink Network and the Director of the Indigenous Youth Summit; Arlene Greist (Iñupiat Ilitqusiat), Elder from Ambler Road Tribal Council in Alaska; Jen Deer in Water (Cherokee), Founder of Crushing Colonialism Magazine; Margarita Diaz (Maya Popti’), representative from the Wuxhtaj Council in Guatemala; Rosa Fátima Mamani Quispe (Uru Murato), member of Chimpu Warmi Network of Bolivia.
The recordings of the Opening Ceremony of the 25th Session of the UNPFII of general sessions and side events are available here.
If you missed the livestreams from the Indigenous Media Zone, you can still access all of them on our YouTube page.
Interview with Elder Petuuche Gilbert (Acama) on the impacts of uranium mining and nuclear energy, Crushing Colonialism
Human Rights Updates from Ryūkyū. ACSILs and Ichiariba Choodee Podcast
Entrevistas de cierre con los miembros expertos del El Foro Permanente Patricia Gualinga Montalvo (Ecuador) y Rodrigo Eduardo Paillalef Monnard (Chile), Indigenous Rights Radio and Cultural Survival
Indigenous Knowledge vs False Solutions, Indigenous Environmental Network
The Indigenous Determinants of Health, Indigenous Determinants of Health Alliance
Richtersveld Indigenous Nama Community (South Africa) - Critical Mineral Mining Effects on Health
Climate Change & Indigenous Women Reproductive Health Rights, AIM West
Economías criminales y territorios Indígenas amazónicos, Amazon Watch
Interview with UNPFII Expert Member Ms. Emma Rawson-Te Patu (New Zealand), Indigenous Rights Radio and Cultural Survival
Comunicación, salud y conflicto Indígenas: Soberanía narrativa desde los territorios, CONCIP – National Commission of Communication of the Indigenous Peoples of Colombia
Securing Freedom for Indigenous Rights Defenders in Siberia, International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia
Launch of Mother Earth Medicine Podcast, Cultural Survival and Nihizhi Podcast
IPNeSA Journey So Far: Achievements, Challenges and Way Forward to Achieve Health and Wellbeing, Indigenous Peoples Network of Southern Africa
Voces Indígenas que salvan vidas: por qué los medios Indígenas son importantes para la salud comunitaria, Indigenous Media Caucus
Indigenous Waterviews: An interview with Mona Polacca on Indigenous Water Ethics, Indigenous Environmental Network
