By Lucas Kasosi (Maasai, CS Intern)
When Mona Omar (Somali/Maasai) was a child, the land still spoke. Elders could predict the rains by watching the sky, birds, and the flowering of certain trees. They knew when to move to better pastures, which rivers would swell, and how to prepare for the dry season. The land was alive until one day, it wasn’t.
Government and industry will do whatever it takes to push through mining projects, but Indigenous opposition is strong in the heart of the Andes
By Brandi Morin (Cree/Iroquois), Photos by Ian Willms
By Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Koĩts-Sunuwar, CS Staff)
In Tanzania, the Maasai, one of Africa’s most iconic Indigenous Peoples, are relentlessly struggling to protect their ancestral lands, cultural heritage, and way of life. Despite facing challenges such as forced evictions, environmental degradation, and systemic marginalization—often justified under the guise of conservation and tourism development—there is still hope for dialogue and constructive solutions.
Content Note: The following includes disturbing information on violence against Indigenous Peoples. We have strived to provide information on each individual in celebration of their lives and work, without gratuitous detail on their deaths. While we have worked to avoid linking to sources with graphic imagery, please note that the sources linked may contain further details, and images may be changed by websites after we have reviewed them.
Canada has finalized negotiations on a free trade deal with Ecuador, but claimed human rights protections ring hollow in light of alleged state repression.
By Brandi Morin (Cree/Iroquois), Photos by Ian Willms
Come learn about international human rights mechanisms, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and how they can aid in your advocacy efforts and put pressure on the U.S. government, both locally and nationally, to respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
We invite Tribal members and community advocates in preparation for the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Third Universal Periodic Review of the United States in November 2025.
Thursday, March 13, 2025, 6:00 pm
Cultural Survival's community includes people from all walks of life, with beautiful stories to tell of your own about why you decided to become an advocate 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.
By Lucas Kasosi (CS Intern, Maasai)
On March 3, as the world observes World Wildlife Day, many will celebrate the achievements of conservation, the protection of endangered species, and the stewardship of ecosystems. Yet, for Indigenous communities, the reality of conservation often tells a different story, one of displacement, exclusion, and ongoing struggles for land and rights.
By Dev Kumar Sunuwar (Koĩts-Sunuwar, CS Staff)
By Phoebe Farris (Powhatan-Pamunkey)
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that we are headquartered on Massachusett land, in Cambridge, MA, and we thank the past, current, and future Indigenous stewards of this territory.
