Canada pledges billions of dollars to compensate Indigenous children
$15.75 billion USD will be allotted to Indigenous children who were unfairly placed in the welfare system, faced delays in accessing services, or did not receive them at all.
Indigenous rights & well-being
This archive covers documented progress on Indigenous rights, sovereignty, land protection, cultural preservation, and community health. Stories here highlight policy wins, legal milestones, and Indigenous-led initiatives that are improving lives and strengthening self-determination around the world.
Landmark ruling blocks mining in Ecuadorian forest, citing rights of nature
Ecuador’s constitutional court has blocked plans to mine copper and gold in Los Cedros, a protected cloud forest, ruling that the plans violate the rights of nature.
Indigenous peoples to get $1.7bn in recognition of role in protecting forests
The money will support the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to govern themselves collectively, assist with mapping and registration work, back national land reform and help resolve conflict over territories.
New Zealand swears in first Indigenous Māori Governor-general
Before being sworn in as New Zealand’s first Māori Governor-general last week, Dame Cindy Kiro forged a career in academics, holding various leadership roles at many New Zealand universities.
Brazil court upholds ban on missionaries trying to contact isolated Indigenous
Although the country’s official policy since 1987 has been to not engage in any contact, a federal law passed in July 2020 allows religious missionaries to remain inside reserves with isolated #Indigenous groups.
Canada celebrates first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The day, which honors the lost children and survivors of Indigenous schools, comes after more than 1,000 unmarked graves were discovered at former schools this year.
Australia returns one of world’s oldest rainforests to Indigenous people
As BBC News reports, the historic handoff also includes the Cedar Bay (Ngalba Bulal), Black Mountain (Kalkajaka), and Hope Islands national parks, a combined area of more than 160,000 hectares.
Historic Indigenous water rights agreement finalized in Montana
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are celebrating the final approval of a $1.9bn water rights settlement that resolves tribal claims throughout Western Montana and authorizes funding to 1,300 miles of canals.
Canada announces $340 million investment to support Indigenous-led conservation
More than half of the investment will go towards supporting new and existing Indigenous Guardians initiatives as well as the development of Indigenous Guardians Networks for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
Canada allows Indigenous peoples to officially reclaim their names
Canada has announced a new policy that allows Indigenous people who were forced to adopt European Christian names to officially reclaim their original names.