”United Nation Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 22nd Session: 17-28 April 2023 Highlights on Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach”

Indigenous peoples are approximately 5% of the world’s population, manage at least 25% of the world’s land surfaces, 40% of the world’s protected areas, and steward about 80% of the world’s biodiversity. Each year Indigenous peoples from scores of different nations and cultures across Mother Earth convene at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in the settler colonial city, state, and nation-state New York City, New York, United States. 
Here, Indigenous peoples express their grievances at the most well-known international political body (i.e., the United Nations) even though after 100 years of existence between the League of Nations and the United Nations, Indigenous peoples’ rights continue to be ignored, violated, and threatened. 
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high- level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.
On today’s program we hear testimonies from Indigenous peoples throughout Turtle Island regarding a wide range of struggles and issues. The Indigenous testimonies are from the April 18th and April 19th, 2023, sessions only. Revealing, powerful, and shameful for the nation-states across Mother Earth knowingly, willfully, and complicitly are committing acts of genocides. The voices of Indigenous peoples and organizations, along with the intervention by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are highlighted and can be heard throughout the hour. 

If you like what you hear, then support KPFK (www.kpfk.org) and pick the up the book, Pagans in the Promise Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery for $100:00 and/or the DVD: The Doctrine of Discovery, Unmasking The Domination Code (2014) dir. Sheldon Wolfchild, for $100.00.

Guests: 
•	Terry Rambler, Chairman of the San Carlos Apache – Protecting Chi'chil Biłdagoteel (Oak Flat).
•	Sami Youth Representative, Suoma Sámi Nuorat (Finland, Sweden, and Norway) on the Greenwashing the Green Economy and Protecting Mother Earth.
•	Francisco Cali Tzay, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - Intervention. Report on the Intervention of Protecting Mother Earth. English Translation. 
•	Representative of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus on Protecting Mother Earth, Women, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Survivance, more.
•	Representative of Society of Threatened Peoples on the Mongolian Genocide committed by the Chinese Government.
•	Nathan Phillips (Omaha Nation) on Language, Freedom for Leonard Peltier, Incarceration and Human Rights Violations, Survivance, and Survivance.
•	Delegation, Crimean Tartar, from the Crimean Tartar Resource Center on the Crimean Genocide committed by Russia. 
•	Ryukyuan delegation on the United States militarization of the surrounding southern Japanese prefectures constructing military bases, poisoning lands, illegally removing Indigenous ancestors, and more. 
•	Rodrigo Eduardo Paillalef  (Puma Mapuche Nation) on Protecting Cultures, Intellectual Property Rights, and the 100-year legacy of the League of Nations and the United Nations denying Indigenous peoples and nations their rights.
•	Addie Parker, Shoshone-Paiute Shoshone of the Duck Valley Nation (NV), the “Green Gold Rush” and Lithium companies’ expansion, the extractive industries, and Protecting Traditional Homelands.

American Indian Airwaves is an all-volunteer collective and Native American public affairs program that broadcast weekly on KPFK FM 90.7 Los Angeles, CA, Thursdays, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.

Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change

In the region of the Lacandon forest in Chiapas, Mexico, Indigenous peoples throughout the region continue experiencing even more escalated state-military-cartel violence within systemically and vehement capitalized world. The cartel-state-corporate violence has increased substantially over the past six months and Indigenous peoples are responding. Our guest for today provides an update on numerous critically important issues such Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) administration supporting major capitalistic megaprojects throughout the region (Maya Train Project, plus more), increased destruction of Mayan peoples’ traditional homelands and the Indigenous peoples themselves, plus our guest articulates how some the largest Cartels are further entrenching their claims through greater violence over the lands and peoples while maintaining the vast inhuman networks of human trafficking, narco trafficking, and trafficking mostly American-based weaponry. All this and more on American Indian Airwaves. 

Guest:
Richard Stahler-Sholk, a retired Professor of Political Science at Eastern Michigan University, and community activist involved with the School of Chiapas which is an organization of grassroots activists and communities working to support the autonomous, indigenous Zapatista communities of Chiapas, Mexico. Schools for Chiapas was created the mid-1990’s by individuals searching for ways to make the world a better place and working to create a world where all worlds fit.

Archived programs can be heard on Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/burntswamp

American Indian Airwaves streams on over ten podcasting platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Audible, Backtracks.fm, Gaana, Google Podcast, Fyyd, iHeart Media, Player.fm, Podbay.fm, Podcast Republic, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tunein, YouTube, and more.

Cartel Carnage and State Colonialism in the Lacandon Area of Chiapas, Mexico: Indigenous Survivance

With Lake Mead, Lake Powell, and the Colorado River decades-plus declining water levels with a one-year reprieve last year, and an ever-increasing demand for the water in the living Colorado River over the centuries by the states of California, Nevada, and Arizona, agricultural businesses and other commercial industries, Native American nations have historically been denied their fundamental treaty  and human rights when it comes to the source of life: water. Over the century, the United States Supreme Court, certain U.S. Congressional members, and others complicitly engaged in the settler colonial legacy of violence not only against the 30 federally recognized Native American nations related to the living Colorado River, but all life that the “River” sustains since time immemorial. What happens to the living Colorado River between now and 2026 has yet to be determined. 

In late October of 2023 the U.S Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) released its draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) in which they are positioned to move forward with the CA, AZ, & NV states planning to give up about 13% of the water received from the Colorado River through the end of 2026. What comes next is a 45-day public comment period on the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS), which is expected to be finalized in early 2024. At stake, however, are the treaty and water rights for 30 federally recognized Nation American nations connected to the living Colorado River which is also a major water supply for 40 million people, seven states, and 5.5 million acres of agriculture.

Today on American Indian Airwaves we cover what all this means, particularly for the 30 Native American nations in general, but also, we explore and discuss the complexities of treaty and water rights in Federal Indian Law in relationship to the future of the living Colorado River.  
Our guest for the hour is an accomplished attorney who has worked with numerous Native American nations and governments for more two decades and he has developed extensive expertise in the area of federal Indian water law, worked on multiple Native American water rights settlements, and has represented clients in adjudications and other water-related proceedings in California, Montana, and Oregon. 
Guest: 
Jay Weiner, tribal water attorney for the Quechan Indian Nation (Kwatsáan) located along both sides of the Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona; and of counsel at Rosette, LLP; a majority owned Native American Law Firm. 

Archived programs can be heard on Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/burntswamp

American Indian Airwaves streams on over ten podcasting platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Audible, Backtracks.fm, Gaana, Google Podcast, Fyyd, iHeart Media, Mixcloud, Player.fm, Podbay.fm, Podcast Republic, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tunein, YouTube, and more.

Indigenous Futures: Treaty & Water Rights Together in Protecting the Living Colorado River

Lenny Foster, who is a Dine (Navajo) spiritual advisor to Native American people who are imprisoned talks about his life and work. Over the last three decades, he has worked on visitation rights and ceremonial rights and has advised thousands of prisoners, including Leonard Peltier. The two met in the early 1970s when both were members of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Lenny Foster also gave testimony at the U.S. Congress and the United Nations and participated in the drafting of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Lenny is also Petra Foundation Fellow. For more background information visit: http://petrafoundation.org/fellows/lenny-foster/index.html

WRFI Human Rights Show

Lenny Foster Jan. 26

Today on American Indian Airwaves we go to the Barbareño band of the Chumash Nation in the Santa Barbara County area to a Chumash sacred site respectfully known as Shalawa. Approximately three-acres of Shalawa remains and to non-Native American peoples, the place is commonly referred to as “Hammonds Meadow” and “Sea Meadow”. 

Since Spanish colonialization beginning, Shalawa has always been threatened by settler colonial violence. However, in 1985 the United Chumash Council, the Barbareño Chumash Tribal Council, the Board of Supervisors in Santa Barbara, CA, to name just a few parties, executed an agreement to protect Shalawa. In addition, several documents were produced by various parties re-stating the laws and commitments to protecting this sacred site. 

Today on American Indian Airwaves listeners are joined by David Bluewolf Diaz (Chumash Nation) and Marcus Lopez (Barbareño band of the Chumash Nation), co-host and executive producer of American Indian Airwaves. Both individuals have been tirelessly working to protect Shalawa for more than 35 years and on today’s program listeners will hear how both Indigenous community activists  clearly demonstrate how the current Hammond Meadow – Shalawa Preservation and Restoration Plan, is rife with government malfeasance – from the local to national levels -, gross negligence, and if the restoration plan is fully executed, it will result in the ultimate desecration of Shalawa. Tune in, to learn the history of land, the historical and contemporary struggles to protect Shalawa, and what people can do to stop this settler colonial violence. 

Guest:
•	David Bluewolf Diaz (Chumash Nation) and Marcus Lopez (Chumash Nation and the Barbareño Chumash Tribal Council of Santa Barbara, https://bctcsb.com/).  

Archived AIA programs are on Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/burntswamp

American Indian Airwaves streams on over ten podcasting platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Audible, Backtracks.fm, Gaana, Google Podcast, Fyyd, iHeart Media, Mixcloud, Player.fm, Podbay.fm, Podcast Republic, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tunein, YouTube, and more.

Under Threat, Desecration, and Protecting Shalawa in the Chumash Nation

In this opening episode, Mr. B guides us through the foundational aspects of Indigenous sovereignty and the ongoing fight for self-determination. Exploring the Oka Crisis and key historical documents like the Royal Proclamation of 1763, treaties, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), we examine how these frameworks impact Indigenous rights today. This episode uncovers the deep connections between land, culture, and sovereignty, setting the stage for conversations on reclaiming Indigenous identity and justice in Canada.

EP. 1 - Introduction to Indigenous Sovereignty

In this episode of Reclaiming Our Roots: Indigenous Land, Truth, and Sovereignty, host Memphis Baranowski (Mr. B) explores the 1990 Oka Crisis—a defining standoff over Indigenous land rights in Kanehsatake, Quebec. Through historical insights and reflections inspired by Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance by Alanis Obomsawin, Mr. B examines the roots of the conflict, its impact on Indigenous-settler relations, and its enduring lessons on sovereignty, reconciliation, and resilience in the face of colonialism.

Episode 1.1 - Kanesatake

In this episode of Reclaiming Our Roots, host Mr. B examines the Wet'suwet'en Nation's resistance against the Coastal GasLink pipeline, highlighting the ongoing fight for Indigenous sovereignty. We explore the critical importance of consent in governance, the impact of colonial practices, and the broader implications for climate justice. Through powerful testimonies, we reveal the vital role Indigenous Peoples play as defenders of their land and culture, urging listeners to reflect on their responsibility in advocating for Indigenous rights and self-determination.

Episode 1.4 - Wet'suwet'en

Today on American Indian Airwaves, listeners will hear extensive update on why 31st Anniversary of the Beginning of the War Against Oblivion, the armed uprising of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) on January 1st, 1994, against the colonial state of Mexico and global capitalism, was placed on hold.

On January 1st, 1994, the Mayan peoples’ traditional homelands were recovered after the 12-day armed uprising of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) against state violence and a legacy of settler colonial oppression. The EZLN’s actions are concrete evidence of how Zapatismo in Chiapas has improved the living conditions of the communities based on organization, autonomy, and self-determination. 

Tune in to hear about how the systemic and increased organized crime violence is having on Indigenous peoples throughout Chiapas, MX. Also, listeners will hear a recap of the major 2024 events for Indigenous peoples throughout the settler colonial state of Mexico such as the 50th anniversary of the important 1974 Indigenous Congress in Chiapas, convened by the late Bishop Samuel Ruiz, whose 100th birthday would have been in 2024. Moreover, hear about the 2024 elections such as with the MORENA party reelected by a landslide; and how Claudia Sheinbaum replaces AMLO, cementing MORENA monopoly on power and what that means for Indigenous and Mayan peoples. The MORENA party corruption means more extractive industry expansion, displacement of Indigenous peoples without free, prior, and informed consent, and the violent repression of Indigenous protests and resistance against megaprojects, plus more. 

Guest:
•	Richard Stahler-Sholk, a retired Professor of Political Science at Eastern Michigan University, and community activist involved with the School of Chiapas which is an organization of grassroots activists and communities working to support the autonomous, indigenous Zapatista communities of Chiapas, Mexico. Schools for Chiapas was created the mid-1990’s by individuals searching for ways to make the world a better place and working to create a world where all worlds fit.

Archived programs can be heard on Soundcloud at: https://soundcloud.com/burntswamp

American Indian Airwaves streams on over ten podcasting platforms such as Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, Audible, Backtracks.fm, Gaana, Google Podcast, Fyyd, iHeart Media, Mixcloud, Player.fm, Podbay.fm, Podcast Republic, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tunein, YouTube, and more. 


The Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) 31st Anniversary Suspended: Cartel & State Violence Escalations in Chiapas

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - While she recognizes DRIPA as a valuable document, MLA Anna Kindy recently informed the SRD Board that she does not support ‘article 26.’ The topic came up when she took part in the May 26 Board meeting. 

Kindy began by stating, “ Part of the reason I'm here is to actually learn how things are run.  I'm not going to pretend I know everything, far from it.  It's a steep learning curve, but my motivation is to truly represent my constituents. I ran for a party, but I'm apolitical now that I am an MLA,  I just look at issues separately and try to bring people's voices to the legislature, to whoever it needs to be brought to.  I'm not a public speaker by nature, but I do answer questions very readily, so I'm just going to pass it over to you guys if you have any questions."

Regional Director Mark Vonesch, of Cortes Island, responded,  “My question is about Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People's Act (DRIPA). During the election, your leader spoke about dropping it and since then, members of your party have denied the graves that have been found in some residential schools. That's raised a lot of concern and I'm just wondering if you could comment on that.”

Anna Kindy:  “Okay, first of all, let's go back to the first question, DRIPA. You have to look at unintended consequences of every bill that passes. UNDRIP is from the United Nation and we are the only, and I will repeat the only jurisdiction worldwide that has adopted it word per word (as DRIPA).”

“Most of DRIPA is fine, I'm a hundred percent for economic reconciliation. What we've done is terrible and we need to reconcile what we've done. It's about treaties, it's about economic reconciliation. What DRIPA does, if you look at section 26,  there's a question of what will be the private property rights of every British Columbian.”

Article 26
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.
2. Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired.
3. States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources. Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems of the Indigenous peoples concerned.
Anna KIndy:  “The entire aspect of crown land will be under the jurisdiction of 4% of the population potentially to make decisions and I am of the opinion that we all have equal rights. We are all Canadian.” 

“Economic reconciliation means that we need to make sure that we lift First Nations out of poverty.  In this region, what that means is to support industries that are lifting them out of poverty. I'm an addiction doctor. If you look at the GNN nation (Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Nations), they had 10 or 11 overdoses and suicides in a two month period in 2024. So this is urgent, I don't talk about semantics.”

“The issue is section 26. This is in a democracy and we're an equal society, we all should have the same rights.” 


Anna Kindy explains why she does not endorse part of DRIPA and more

Cortes Currents is a news platform that asks what's current in Cortes and the Discovery Islands. Web articles & radio podcasts: Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Discovery Islands, Campbell River: news, lifestyle, local politics, affordable housing, economy, food security, health, ferries, tourism, history,  culture, environmental issues, sustainable forestry, oyster farming, the arts, First Nations, energy, climate change, overshoot

American Indian Airwaves (AIA), an Indigenous public affairs radio porgram and, perhaps, the longest running Native American radio program within both Indigenous and the United States broadcast communication histories. Also, AIA broadcast weekly every Thursday from 7pm to 8pm (PCT) on KPFK FM 90.7 Los Angeles (http://www.kpfk.org).  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aiacr


American Indian Airwaves is produced in Burntswamp Studios and started broadcasting on March 1st, 1973 on KPFK in order to give Indigenous peoples and their respective First Nations a voice about the continuous struggles against Settler Colonialism and imperialism by the occupying and settler societies often referred to as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Latin and South America countries located therein.

American Indian Airwaves operates as an all-volunteer collective with no corporate sponsorship and no underwriters.

New tracks tagged #UNDRIP