As Miners Chase Clean-Energy Minerals, Tribes Fear a Repeat of the Past
Mining the minerals that may be needed for a green energy revolution could devastate tribal lands. The Biden administration will be forced to choose. YELLOW PINE, Idaho — Net in hand, Louis Reuben waded into the frigid waters where his ancestors once fished, long…
‘Like putting a lithium mine on Arlington cemetery’: the fight to save sacred land in Nevada
Thacker Pass is rich in lithium deposits but is also a place of historical and cultural significance to the Paiute people On a windy afternoon in northern Nevada, where her family has lived for generations, Daranda Hinkey stood before one of the largest lithium deposits…
B.C. Fails to Meet Indigenous Consent Standard for Mining — 8 Recent Cases
Vancouver/Ottawa – December 6th, 2021. In a new backgrounder report, MiningWatch Canada and the BC Mining Law Reform network conclude that British Columbia fails to meet the Indigenous consent standard for mining, even two years after the passing of the province’s Declaration on the Rights of…
Indigenous cultures must not be forced to bear the brunt of global climate adaptation
Forcing already endangered cultures to accept disruptive activities in the name of mitigating climate change amounts to a new form of colonialism. As I write this, I am sitting by Várjjatvuotna; this is the name for Varangerfjord in my native Sámi language, once the…
Inuvialuit Family Way of Living Law (Inuvialuit Qitunrariit Inuuniarnikkun Maligaksat) passes after community consultation
Over the last year, we’ve been visiting communities to talk about how Inuvialuit want to care for their families and culture. Today, as a result of that consultation, the IRC Board passed the first Inuvialuit Law, which will make sure that Inuvialuit children and…
Philanthropy Must Support Indigenous-Led Climate Solutions
As world leaders gather in Scotland this week for the latest international meeting focused on addressing the catastrophic effects of climate change, the stakes are high for all people on the planet—but Indigenous Peoples most of all. From the Saami in Scandinavia and the…
‘Like slave and master’: DRC miners toil for 30p an hour to fuel electric cars
Congolese workers describe a system of abuse, precarious employment and paltry wages – all to power the green vehicle revolution The names Tesla, Renault and Volvo mean nothing to Pierre*. He has never heard of an electric car. But as he heads out to…
COUNTERING THE ‘NUCLEAR FOR CLIMATE’ NARRATIVE: TESTIMONIES FROM THE FRONTLINES OF THE NUCLEAR FRONTIER
‘NUCLEAR FOR CLIMATE’ AS AN EXTRACTIVE STRATEGY Last year’s COP meeting has just begun. Postponed due to the pandemic – Glasgow, Scotland, was to host the summit in November 2020 – representatives from around the world are once again turning their attention to the…
Indigenous peoples to get $1.7bn in recognition of role in protecting forests
Cop26 pledge cautiously welcomed as ‘first step’ in making indigenous rights central to climate crisis talks At least $1.7bn of funding will be given directly to indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in recognition of their key role in protecting the planet’s lands and…
Indigenous leaders to push for land tenure rights as climate solution at COP26
Indigenous leaders from around the world will join government officials, scientists, activists, and NGO representatives at the U.N. climate summit in Scotland to highlight the role of Indigenous peoples in providing climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. New reports released ahead of the conference by…