Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Community Media Fund offers funding alternatives, accompaniment, and coaching to Indigenous neighborhood media platforms to hold out their essential informational, documentary, and cultural work inside and outdoors their communities. Since 2017, the Indigenous Neighborhood Media Fund has awarded 298 grants, supporting neighborhood media initiatives in 29 international locations throughout 3 continents, totaling $1,772,361.
In 2023, because of beneficiant donors and supporting foundations, the Indigenous Neighborhood Media Fund distributed $420,000 to 60 Indigenous communication initiatives that may profit 87 Indigenous Peoples in 20 international locations.
Contemplating the stress and historic dispossession confronted by Indigenous communities by extractive industries, heightened right now by the excessive demand for transition minerals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and so forth.) in demand for the event and transition to a inexperienced, low-carbon financial system, this yr, the Indigenous Neighborhood Media Fund allotted 35 % of our funding ($150,000) to assist 18 communication initiatives working to boost consciousness about or mitigate the impacts of mining for transition minerals on Indigenous communities. These efforts are being led by collectives and Indigenous neighborhood media in Asia, Africa, and America. Two of those initiatives assist neighborhood media networks in Bolivia and Argentina.
Indigenous territories comprise vital quantities of untapped heavy metallic reserves world wide, placing Indigenous lands and communities in danger. Of 5,097 mining projects globally that contain some 30 minerals utilized in renewable power applied sciences, 54 % are positioned on or close to Indigenous Peoples’ lands and territories. About 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity is managed by Indigenous Peoples, however irresponsible mining is threatening it. There’s a vital must assist affected and at-risk Indigenous communities to train their proper to self-determination and Free, Prior and Knowledgeable Consent when mining for transition minerals is proposed on their territories.
Meet a few of our grant companions working to boost consciousness and mitigate the impacts of mining for transition minerals on their communities. Those that gave consent to be listed publicly are discovered beneath.
Particular person Tasks
Avispa Mídia, Multimedia Manufacturing (Mixteco-Chinanteco), México
Avispa Mídia is a collective of impartial communicators whose goal is to advertise communication for political motion and contribute to processes of constructing and strengthening the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples within the face of political, environmental, and social conflicts of their territories. Their grant mission, “Info Marketing campaign: What are transition minerals and why are they so coveted right now?” will disseminate related data on the continued and potential repercussions of the inexperienced power transition on Indigenous territories. They search to tell affected communities in regards to the execs and cons to allow them to make aware selections within the face of those mining initiatives.
Ecos de la Sal Radio Indígena Comunitaria (Echoes of Salt Indigenous Neighborhood Radio), Analog Radio (Popoloca), México
Echoes of Salt is dedicated to elevating consciousness and informing its neighborhood in regards to the issues that have an effect on them. Amongst these issues are land dispossession, looting, destruction of natural world, contamination of aquifers, and the varied social challenges arising from mining actions. Situated close to Mexico’s second-largest lithium reserve, their grant mission will deal with capability constructing and the creation of radio and audiovisual content material on lithium exploitation, aiming to tell their neighborhood about environmental and social impacts, and provide solutions to those challenges.
Mapuche Mapuexpress Informative Collective, Multimedia Manufacturing, (Mapuche) Chile, Wallmapu
Mapuexpress’ goal is to affect decision-making of their territories to cease the advance of the capitalist, neoliberal, extractivist, and patriarchal improvement fashions whereas revitalizing and strengthening the collective kvme mongen or “good residing”, the autonomy and self-determination of Mapuche Peoples and all Peoples. Their grant mission, “Communication and Resistance in opposition to mining threats within the Fütawillimapu: Choyipe Taiñ Newen mapu, that our power of the Earth be reborn,” seeks to supply and disseminate data by a digital booklet and podcasts on the impacts of mining for transition minerals within the Province of Osorno, Fütawillimapu, Ngulumapu. They hope to create this content material to be accessible and analytical and advised from the voices, testimonies, and experiences of Mapuche individuals.
Kurruf Radio, On-line Radio (Mapuche), Chile
Kurruf Radio produces and disseminates data day by day, protecting conditions not addressed by mainstream media. They deal with neighborhood pursuits, calls for, protection of territories, and the seek for Good Dwelling in Ngülumapu, the ancestral Mapuche territory west of the Andes. Their grant mission seeks to cowl the battle in Penco, a neighborhood of 46,000 individuals, the place a uncommon earth mining mission has generated resistance from feminist, environmental, and Indigenous organizations and communities. The teams opposing the mining are advocating for the creation of a park to guard the native ecosystem. They may also buy tools and conduct workshops to coach native youth and advocates in using communication instruments.
Xilotepek Neighborhood Radio, Analog Radio (Maya Achi), Guatemala
Xilotepek Radio was created to guard their atmosphere, in addition to to advertise Maya Achi tradition and language. They’ve spotlighted the work of a number of resistance and land protection actions. In 2016, they had been a part of a collective that promoted neighborhood session associated to mining and megaprojects of their municipality. Their grant mission, “Naqab’ie Reh Hinqakiruaqsaa Qawi’ariik” (Strolling In direction of Good Dwelling) goals to boost consciousness in regards to the impacts of mining for transition minerals on the atmosphere, neighborhood, and tradition.
Jun Toj Neighborhood Radio, Analog Radio (Maya Achi), Guatemala
Jun Toj Neighborhood Station is managed by the Maya Achi Cultural Instructional Affiliation, a non-profit entity based to strengthen, promote, protect, respect, and disseminate the cultural, academic, ethical, and philosophical values of the Maya Achi tradition. Their grant mission is to create radio applications, arrange a workshop on transition minerals, and buy a transmitter to enhance their broadcast capability. The radio applications can be broadcast in Maya Achi and Spanish languages, protecting mining exploitation, its results on the inhabitants, and cultural and linguistic themes.
Xyaab’ Tzuultaq’a Neighborhood Radio, Analog Radio (Maya Q’eqchi’), Guatemala
Xyaab’ Tzuultaq’a Neighborhood Radio serves city and rural communities and promotes the id, worldview, and struggles of the Maya Q’eqchi’ Individuals in El Estor Izabal. It’s managed by the Estoreña Affiliation for Complete Growth – AEPDI, a non-profit group working to construct extra dignified circumstances of life, work, training, freedom, and civic participation. The actions of the Fénix nickel mine in El Estor have triggered air pollution, social conflicts, evictions, financial dependence, poverty, and malnutrition. Station members need to inform the inhabitants in regards to the 2019 Inter-American Court docket of Human Rights verdict in favor of Indigenous neighborhood radio and expose violations in neighborhood session processes. They search to suggest a sustainable improvement mannequin primarily based on agroecology, solidarity financial system, and environmental safety.
Uqul Tinamit Neighborhood Radio, Analog Radio (Maya Achi), Guatemala
Uqul Tinamit serves many inhabitants sectors by selling human rights and Maya Achi tradition. They’re a gaggle of youth, ladies, and Maya audio system who provide their time for the advantage of their neighborhood. Their grant mission is an data and consciousness marketing campaign in regards to the impacts of mining for transition minerals. They’ll write and produce radio applications, a video report, and quick movies in Spanish and Achi Maya. Their productions can be broadcast on the radio and shared on social media networks in order that the inhabitants of their area is knowledgeable.
ORARI Mamasa, Analog Radio (Mambi, Bambang, Mala’bo, Aralle, Tabulahan and Mamasa), Indonesia
ORARI Mamasa brings collectively broadcasters from Mamasa to change data and communication between Indigenous communities. They assist the struggles of Indigenous Peoples to defend their conventional territories amidst the onslaught of mining actions. They’ll conduct interviews in regards to the responses of Indigenous Peoples, authorities officers, and neighborhood leaders relating to mining for transition minerals within the Indigenous areas of Aralle, Tabulahan, and Mambi. Their grant mission is each a media marketing campaign to boost consciousness in regards to the operations of the mine and also will assist their main technique of communication. They hope the neighborhood will perceive the hazards of destroying nature in order that they don’t seem to be simply persuaded by the businesses that may take their land.
Kelung Media Siber / kelung.id, Multimedia Manufacturing (Minahasa), Indonesia
Kelung.id is a media outlet that prides itself on high quality journalism. Their grant mission goals to boost native individuals’s consciousness in regards to the mining actions which are taking their lands, polluting their rivers, and creating well being dangers. They’re working to unify individuals across the frequent aim of stopping additional enlargement of the mining space. Their aim is to revitalize their Minahasa tradition and supply native individuals with journalism and writing abilities to allow them to doc their very own language and traditions. They’re additionally working to revive a historic website close to the mining space and develop crops for ritual functions on the neighborhood border.
Terra FM Radio, Analog Radio (Bagungu, Jonam, Batwa, Mbute, Lendu and Baka), Uganda and The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Terra FM raises consciousness of points within the Albertine Area in Uganda and the DRC, and offers native communities with entry to environmental training, Indigenous cultural data, and data on fundamental human rights, together with Free, Prior, and Knowledgeable Consent. The DRC is dwelling to over 70 % of the world’s cobalt reserves. Mineral extraction within the nation has been affected by corruption, environmental degradation, and human rights abuses. With the aim of constructing an opposition motion, the station will produce radio applications on baby labor in mines, conduct coaching applications on cybersecurity and investigative journalism, write a report on the human rights impacts of mining, create an internet site, and distribute printed supplies on the difficulty.
Radio Mars, Analog Radio (Tou Mu’ung, Tombulu and Minahasa), Indonesia
Radio Mars goals to teach the general public in regards to the atmosphere and the threats posed by mining. They act as a method to strengthen cultural values and supply an advocacy platform in opposition to the onslaught of environmental threats confronted by Indigenous communities, and criminalization and persecution by governments and firms. Their grant mission goals to offer an area for Indigenous Peoples to voice their issues, promote knowledgeable dialogue, encourage accountable mining practices, and improve transparency and accountability within the mining sector.
Itombwe Neighborhood Radio, Analog Radio (Batwa), Democratic Republic of Congo
The Union of Indigenous Peoples manages Itombwe Neighborhood Radio for Peace and Endogenous Growth (UPADE), a corporation that helps Indigenous ladies and youth and mobilizes all members of the neighborhood to safe respect for human rights. Their grant mission will produce radio applications on the impacts of mining for transitional minerals within the Batwa territories by supporting capability constructing and equipping the 2 Indigenous radios in South Kivu, Itombwe Neighborhood Radio and Radio Voix de la Femme Autochtone. They intention to battle in opposition to the lack of expertise on mineral exploitation within the communities, elevate consciousness, and guarantee corporations respect the neighborhood’s proper to Free, Prior and Knowledgeable Consent earlier than any intervention.
Kivu FM Neighborhood Radio – Pygmy Ladies in Motion FEPA ASBL, Analog Radio (Batwa and Mbuti), Democratic Republic of the Congo
KIVU FM’s goal is to assist Indigenous ladies to defend their rights in a non-violent method. Their grant mission will assist the Batwa and Mbuti in asserting their rights, which have been violated by mining operations for transition minerals. They’ll practice 25 Pygmy ladies, together with 7 journalists, and 25 Pygmy males in land rights and the mining code and assist them in producing and broadcasting applications on the impacts of mining for transition minerals on the radio station. They may also press political and administrative authorities in South Kivu to safe Indigenous Peoples’ rights, enhance the station’s tools, produce a movie, and arrange cellular cinema screenings within the mining areas not reached by the neighborhood radio station.
Collective Tasks
Voices Collective, Multimedia Producer (Kolla), Argentina
Colectivo Voces is a media community whose goal is to allow varied social organizations and Indigenous Peoples to beat the data blockade of the mainstream media and construct solidarity and fashionable communication collectives in several areas. Their grant mission, “Weaving Voices,” arises from seeing the violation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Jujuy by the lithium exploitation initiatives, which have the complete assist of the provincial authorities. They’ll maintain conferences to offer technological instruments and sensible suggestions to assist communication processes and the creation of neighborhood communication channels.
Wayna Tambo – Variety Community, Media-Communicators Community (Aymara and Quechua), Bolivia
Wayna Tambo seeks to contribute to the invigoration of their neighborhood from the views of “Vivir Bien” (Dwelling Effectively) and plurinationality. They need to have an effect on the co-responsible administration of the general public sphere and on the strengthening of the continuities between the city and the agricultural, from decolonizing, depatriarchalizing, demercantilizing and de-anthropocentric views. For this they willimplement cultural, inventive, academic, communicative and financial methods and actions. Their mission can be developed in two areas of Bolivia. Reporters can be skilled, and micro-programs, studies/notes and digital publications can be produced on the connection between the extraction of transitional minerals and the dominant methods of life, on the a number of crises they’re experiencing and their influence on the information of Indigenous Peoples who resist and re-exist, in three languages: Spanish, Aymara and Quechua.
