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By Lucas Kasosi (Maasai, CS Intern)

A solemn procession moved through the new city center of Kiruna, Sweden. Sámi youth and members from the Gabna and Laevas reindeer herding communities walked in silence, carrying an ackja, a traditional Sámi sled, along the path their ancestors once followed with migrating reindeer. At the heart of Europe’s transition to a so-called “green economy,” they were not celebrating progress, but mourning land already lost to a century of mining. They were also raising their voices against future exploitation.

By Ella Nathanael Alkiewicz (Labrador Inuk)

Five percent of Canada’s total population is Indigenous. Canadian Inuit, First Nations, and Métis are living, working, buying, and being alongside settlers, four-leggeds, winged-ones, and fins with the flora and fauna. 

Over the past several months, violence against immigrant families and allies has been escalating in the United States of America. President Trump's agenda to massively deport thousands of undocumented immigrants under the pretext of national security has become a witch hunt driven by racism and xenophobia, primarily against the Latino and, at times, Native communities.

Cultural Survival's community includes people from all walks of life, with beautiful stories about why they decided to become advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights. Sharing these stories further connects our community, provides much-needed solidarity and validation to our staff and partners on the ground, and helps us inspire others to join our movement. We are excited to spotlight members and former interns of our community and highlight your contributions and perspectives through our Cultural Survival Spotlight series. 

Visit Cultural Survival Bazaar artist Houseofmirs.com to learn how the Indigenous Peoples in Kashmir dream. The “About us” webpage opens with a compelling quote about how “All human beings are also dream beings, (and that) dreaming ties all mankind together.” When the webpage was created in 2023, it reflected a dream to acquaint the world with exquisite handmade textiles from their homelands of the Kashmir Valley—famous for the enchanting, snow-capped Himalayan Mountains, rivers, valleys, flora-filled gardens, and... cashmere.  

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