Luda Kinok, an Indigenous rights advocate and member of the Yupik people, reflects on the severe impact of colonization on Indigenous populations worldwide. The experiences of her community, as well as those of other Indigenous groups, are often shrouded in silence, causing immense pain and suffering that goes largely unrecognized.

In recent discussions, particularly those concerning the Indigenous peoples of Russia, the topic of decolonization has taken centre stage. This debate, fuelled by a new wave of ethnic activists who have fled Russia due to political persecution, highlights intricate historical injustices. Initial thoughts on decolonization often revolve around the decolonization movements in Africa and Asia during the latter half of the 20th century, where once-colonized nations gained their independence from European powers.

However, the situation becomes more complex concerning small nations or Indigenous groups who find themselves within newly independent states. For instance, have the Indigenous people of Greenland truly achieved decolonization, or do remnants of colonial governance still linger under Danish oversight? Despite Greenland’s extensive local governance, core matters of foreign policy, defense, and currency control remain with Denmark.

The Sami people, residing in northern Europe, provide another lens through which to examine decolonization. Though they exhibit humor about their situation—joking that they could easily form their own state but would rather engage in traditional activities like fishing and reindeer herding—the question lingers: have they reached a sufficient level of decolonization?

Sámi land, or Sápmi, faces ongoing threats from larger state interests and environmental concerns. The task ahead involves recognizing and grappling with the implications of colonialism—a conversation still deemed taboo in Russia.

During a recent session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a report on Indigenous self-determination prompted an official rebuke from the Russian Foreign Ministry. Sergey Chumarev’s comments displayed a defensive posture regarding Indigenous rights, especially regarding the Inuit in regions like Chukotka, where there are accusations of colonial domination.

Chumarev’s claim that the Indigenous peoples of Chukotka have achieved autonomy is met with skepticism. The underlying dissatisfaction with the representation of Chukotka as a colony reveals an unwillingness to confront the historical facts of colonialism, undermining the progress of Indigenous rights discussions.

Enter Luda Kinok, a Yupik representative who has lived through the trials of her community. Luda’s upbringing in the village of Sireniki and her journey to becoming a pastor in Chukotka highlight the deep cultural disruptions caused by colonization and Soviet policies. Her struggle serves as a personal account of the broader Indigenous experience afflicted by ideological impositions and physical displacements.

As the Yupik face the legacy of colonization, the memories of their past continue to inform their identity. Kinok poignantly notes how the Soviet narrative erased Indigenous history, relegating it to folklore and myth while asserting the supposed superiority of colonial societies.

The Soviet regime’s policies against Indigenous peoples resulted in forced relocations, undermining their social structures and traditional lifestyles. Kinok recounts the traumatic experiences of her people as they were compelled to abandon their homes and communities, leading to a generational disconnect with their cultural roots.

Today, the Yupik community experiences the consequences of historical injustices amid ongoing existential threats, most notably the war in Ukraine. Kinok’s observations on the disproportionate mobilization of Indigenous men from her community underscore the dire implications of the ongoing conflict, which eerily echoes historic patterns of oppression.

Furthermore, Kinok critiques the Russian government’s current legislation, which seems to prioritize the protection of flora and fauna while leaving Indigenous peoples marginalized and voiceless. The disparity between the attention given to plant life versus the survival of the Yupik people raises profound ethical questions about contemporary priorities in Russia.

The portrayal of the Yupik as a near-extinct population in the face of overwhelming state disregard for their identity and rights emphasizes a broader failure to protect Indigenous cultures and lifeways. As Kinok asserts, the global community needs to shift their focus from merely commemorating historical injustices to actively addressing and safeguarding Indigenous rights and cultures today.

Ultimately, Luda Kinok’s calls for recognizing the colonial past and its lasting repercussions serve as a clarion call for justice. Celebrating the resilience and wisdom of her ancestors, she urges action that not only acknowledges the reality of colonialism but also strives to rectify its continuing impact on the Yupik and other Indigenous peoples in Russia.

Summit Highlights a Rights-Based Approach and Centers Indigenous Peoples’ Priorities and Solutions 

The Indigenous Peoples Global Coordinating Committee, in partnership with Securing Indigenous Peoples Rights to a Green Economy (SIRGE) Coalition, is hosting the JUST TRANSITION:  Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives, Knowledge, and Lived Experiences, an international summit taking place from October 8 to 10, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Over 100 representatives of Indigenous Peoples from the seven socio-cultural regions of the world will gather to collectively define a Just Transition and the green economy from Indigenous perspectives. The summit calls for a rights-based approach rooted in principles such as self-determination, FPIC, cultural rights, land and territorial rights, and the participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making processes. 

Rodion Sulyandziga, Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Global Coordinating Committee, said, “For the energy transition to be truly just and effective in mitigating the climate crisis, Indigenous Peoples must be central to decision-making, leadership, and solutions. All development projects on or near Indigenous territories must receive Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Indigenous Peoples, as set out by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It is important that development initiatives under the labels of green energy, green economy, climate change mitigation, and conservation do not repeat harms and rights violations of past extractive practices, particularly those against Indigenous Peoples.”

The three-day summit will feature a mix of panels and breakout sessions focusing on key issues affecting Indigenous Peoples. Topics will include transition minerals, transition agriculture, and regional case studies highlighting both negative impacts and best practices. The summit will challenge common terminology and narratives in the current energy transition and redefine the energy transition using Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and solutions, developing shared principles and criteria for a truly Just Transition.

The first two days will be dedicated exclusively to deliberations by and among Indigenous leaders. These two days will encompass closed-door meetings to allow for in-depth discussion on critical themes and the sharing of experiences and solutions.

The morning of day three will involve the development and approval of a common position by Indigenous Peoples. The afternoon session will be dedicated to dialogue with member states, representatives of multilateral institutions, and other stakeholders. The final declaration will be approved by consensus, including agreed-upon principles, priorities, and recommendations for next steps. 

The goals of the forum include: 

1. To discuss and agree on criteria and principles for a rights-based Just Transition and green economy, including presenting examples and contributions based on the traditional knowledge and practices of Indigenous Peoples on the ground and in their own territories.  

2. To build solidarity among impacted Indigenous Peoples of the seven socio-cultural regions.

3. To increase awareness and share information among Indigenous Peoples as well as non-Indigenous allies from the grassroots to the international levels.

4. To build opportunities for participation by impacted Indigenous Peoples in policy debates and negotiations on local, national, and international levels addressing energy transition policies and practices.

5. To amplify the voices of impacted Indigenous Peoples in decision-making at the United Nations and other international forums deliberating about the energy transition.

The Indigenous Peoples Global Coordinating Committee (IPGCC) will ensure regional and gender balance including youth engagement based on cultural understanding of each represented region. The event will center affected Indigenous communities. The working language of the Summit will be English with interpretation services provided in Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and French.

To learn more about the upcoming summit, visit: IndigenousSummit.org. 

For media folks interested in attending the summit, please send an email to [email protected]. 

About

The Indigenous Peoples Global Coordinating Committee (IPGCC) consists of Indigenous leaders and organizations from all seven socio-cultural regions that are coordinating and hosting the first Indigenous Peoples’ summit on a Just Transition to develop the common position and the Indigenous Peoples  Declaration based on their values, principles, and vision.  

The Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Green Economy (SIRGE) Coalition implements transformative solutions to secure the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the global transition to a green economy. The SIRGE Coalition emphasizes  the urgent need to operationalize Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and ensure Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the transition mineral supply chain, as enumerated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Coalition is comprised of First Peoples Worldwide, Cultural Survival, Earthworks, Batani Foundation, and Society for Threatened Peoples, with new affiliate member International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA).

Media Contact: [email protected]

Statement from the Securing Indigenous Peoples Rights in the Green Economy (SIRGE) Coalition about the International Council on Mining and Metals’ (ICMM) Position Statement on Indigenous Peoples

On August 8, the International Council on Mining and Metals, a mining industry trade association representing one third of the global mining industry, released a new position statement on Indigenous Peoples. The Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in the Green Economy, or SIRGE Coalition urges ICMM to revise, correct and strengthen this statement to address critical gaps and shortcomings that threaten perpetuating the mining industry’s historical harms to Indigenous Peoples. Given that over half of all mining for energy transition minerals globally are on or near  the territories of Indigenous Peoples, ICMM must  ensure its members operate in a manner that fully respects and upholds the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

While the updated ICMM position statement acknowledges Indigenous Peoples’ rights, SIRGE notes that it allows for a wide degree of flexibility and interpretation potentially putting Indigenous Peoples and their rights at serious risk. The SIRGE Coalition urges ICMM to require that its mining company members to fully commit to obtaining Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as enumerated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

ICMM must clearly state that no project can proceed without the explicit  Free, Prior and Informed Consent of affected Indigenous Peoples. This requirement must be absolute—if consent is withheld, the project must not move forward. 

ICMM’s reliance on States to fulfill  Free, Prior and Informed Consent obligations is a critical flaw. As a standard bearer for industry, ICMM policy should recognize that State standards may be inadequate, insufficient or non-existent compared to accepted international standards. ICMM members are among the world’s largest and wealthiest mining companies in the world, and must take direct responsibility for ensuring their operations fully respect  Free, Prior and Informed Consent as outlined by UNDRIP. ICMM members must implement and operationalize these policies with full participation of impacted Indigenous Peoples, especially in contexts where States fail to uphold  Indigenous Peoples’ rights.  

“We recognize that ICMM has made efforts to improve its Indigenous Peoples’ Position Statement but it falls short and places Indigenous communities at continued risk from mining activities. If mining companies want to comply with international standards for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and ensure their Social License to Operate when they operate on the traditional lands and territories of Indigenous Peoples, ICMM must include stronger commitments,” said Galina Angarova, Executive Director of the SIRGE Coalition.  “Many Indigenous Peoples’ communities distrust the mining industry due to the historic legacy of harm that mining companies have left behind on Indigenous lands and territories. Mining companies must always respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights to self-determination and to offer or withhold their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.”

Furthermore, the policy’s inconsistent use of terminology – interchanging the terms “agreement” and “consent” – not only creates confusion but allows for misinterpretation of legally defined terminology. Free, Prior and Informed Consent is Indigenous Peoples’ right to say “yes,” “no,” or “yes” with qualifications. While agreements can be expressions of consent and self-determination, they can only be achieved when Indigenous-defined Free, Prior and Informed Consent priorities, processes, and protocols are fully integrated and operationalized. ICMM and its members must consistently use the term “consent” or “Free, Prior and Informed Consent” avoiding the substitution of these terms with “agreements” or “consultation.”

ICMM’s position also fails to address the ongoing harms from past projects, leaving unresolved impacts on the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples.  Free, Prior and Informed Consent commitments must be applied in a manner that addresses past harms and continued impacts from existing mining activities. 

The SIRGE coalition notes additional concerns with the ICMM position statement, including the lack of clear guidelines for enforcing Free, Prior and Informed Consent, insufficient due diligence requirements, inadequate protections for Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact, and the lack of directives for engaging vulnerable populations, particularly Indigenous women and elders. 

The SIRGE Coalition supports the recommendations outlined in critical analysis, which concludes:

“The ICMM’s Position Statement shows a minimal effort to align with the principles of UNDRIP, ILO 169, IFC PS7, and the UNGPs; significant improvements are necessary to truly uphold these international standards. The ICMM must eliminate ambiguity in the application of FPIC, apply these updated commitments retrospectively, address potential conflicts between State and corporate responsibilities, ensure the participation of vulnerable Indigenous Peoples, make no contact with Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact, establish robust monitoring mechanisms, implement clear redress and remediation processes, and enhance the protection of Indigenous cultural heritage. Only by addressing these critical areas can the ICMM ensure that its practices genuinely respect and uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples, fostering sustainable and equitable development.”

As published, ICMM’s deeply flawed position allows the continuation of harm to Indigenous Peoples by mining operations and calls into question ICMM’s stated commitment to respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Mentioning international frameworks without robust accountability mechanisms undermines the instruments to uphold Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

The SIRGE Coalition calls on the ICMM and other standard setting bodies working towards a consolidated mining industry standard, to correct, strengthen and provide more clarity in their Indigenous Peoples policies, or run the risk of perpetuating harms and rights abuses.

In this message from Galina Angarova, the Executive Director of the SIRGE Coalition discusses the importance of safeguarding Indigenous rights and lands in the context of global climate solutions. Galina emphasizes the need for meaningful inclusion of Indigenous voices in decision-making processes and highlights the role that Indigenous peoples play in protecting biodiversity and combating climate change.

The International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia announced the release of a detailed report. The report is on the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON). This in-depth analysis raises serious concerns about RAIPON’s recent transformation and evolving role as an instrument of state propaganda.

Key insights from the report include:

• A timeline of RAIPON’s increasing alignment with state interests, often at the cost of genuine indigenous advocacy.
• Actions that undermine the true representation of indigenous communities.
• The potential consequences for the future of indigenous rights and representation in Russia.

We acknowledge the significant impact these developments have on the global community. We emphasize the need for open and transparent discussions. This report marks a vital step toward restoring the integrity and mission of indigenous advocacy in Russia.