Submitted by Other Worlds on Thu, 08/26/2010 - 12:12
It feels like every day we learn about another bio-fuel that will wean us off of our dependence on fossil fuels and solve the problem of global warming once and for all. It is an appealing solution, one that is sold as natural, and that wouldn't require people in developed nations to give up any of the comforts that we are accustomed to. But the reality of bio-fuels is much less "green" than the picture presented in the media, and the people who most often pay the price of large scale bio-fuel production are indigenous people and campesinos-communities who have contributed the least to the problem of global climate change in the first place.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Mon, 07/05/2010 - 13:28
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 after more than 25 years of struggle and organizing. Making the Declaration Work: The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, published by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, explores the history of that process, as well as the significance of the declaration for communities and tribes around the world.
While there is a wealth of information out in the world about specific alternatives being created by disparate communities and movements, very little of it is linked together, or collected in an easily accessible archive. That's why Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources is so exciting. This website gathers an asstounding wealth of articles, reports, job listings, books, recordings, and other resources by and about indigenous and tribal peoples from every corner of the world.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 08:59
After years of struggle, protest, and advocacy, indigenous communities in Guatemala and their allies around the world have succeeded in closing the Marlin gold mine in San Miguel Ixtahuacán, Guatemala. The mine, operated by the Canadian firm Goldcorp, has polluted rivers, destroyed sacred mountains, poisoned the people who live around it, and divided their communities. In response, the communities impacted by the mine protested, organized popular consultations to demonstrate their opposition to mining, and filed complaints with international agencies.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Mon, 05/03/2010 - 11:23
After the Copenhagen climate talks ended without an agreement - and with developing nations complaining of being shut out of back room negotiations by some of the biggest polluters - it was clear that new tactics were needed for the global fight against climate change.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Thu, 04/29/2010 - 09:21
This has been a tragic week for supporters of indigenous autonomy and community media in Mexico and Honduras. On Tuesday, a caravan bringing humanitarian aid to an autonomous community in Oaxaca, Mexico, was attacked by a paramilitary group linked to the state government. The autonomous Triqui community of San Juan Copala has been the subject of threats and violence from paramilitary groups for years. In 2008 two indigenous women radio promoters were assassinated as they traveled to a regional meeting of community radio organizations.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 13:44
When indigenous coca activist Evo Morales was elected president of Bolivia, the celebration of this victory for grassroots social movements in the country was tempered in some quarters by suspision about what would actually change.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Fri, 02/19/2010 - 11:17
Over the last several months, attention has drifted away from the country of Honduras and the ongoing conflict there. The mainstream media and international officials have repeatedly insisted that democracy has been restored, that there is no need to speak of the brief interruption in the democratic process that Honduras experienced in 2009. But the people on the ground in Honduras know that this is not the case.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 08:58
With two days to go until the re-launching of Radio Faluma Bimetu, there is a buzz about Triunfo de la Cruz as the community is enveloped by increasing activity and visits of solidarity from international and Honduran collectives, organizations and individuals. Bit by bit, the community radio that was ransacked and left in ashes (on January 6th) after the failed attempt to silence the voices that defend the territory, culture and tradition of the Garifuna community, is beginning to take form.
Submitted by Other Worlds on Wed, 01/13/2010 - 14:49
A US Department of the Interior Judge revoked Peabody Coal Company's mining permit for operations on Black Mesa in Arizona. Wahleah Johns, co-director of Black Mesa Water Coalition, one of the petitioners in the appeal, issued the following statement: "As a community member of Black Mesa I am grateful for Judge Holt's decision.
It feels like every day we learn about another bio-fuel that will wean us off of our dependence on fossil fuels and solve the problem of global warming once and for all. It is an appealing solution, one that is sold as natural, and that wouldn't require people in developed nations to give up any of the comforts that we are accustomed to. But the reality of bio-fuels is much less "green" than the picture presented in the media, and the people who most often pay the price of large scale bio-fuel production are indigenous people and campesinos-communities who have contributed the least to the problem of global climate change in the first place.
After years of struggle, protest, and advocacy, indigenous communities in Guatemala and their allies around the world have succeeded in closing the Marlin gold mine in San Miguel Ixtahuacán, Guatemala. The mine, operated by the Canadian firm Goldcorp, has polluted rivers, destroyed sacred mountains, poisoned the people who live around it, and divided their communities. In response, the communities impacted by the mine protested, organized popular consultations to demonstrate their opposition to mining, and filed complaints with international agencies.
After the Copenhagen climate talks ended without an agreement - and with developing nations complaining of being shut out of back room negotiations by some of the biggest polluters - it was clear that new tactics were needed for the global fight against climate change. 
This has been a tragic week for supporters of indigenous autonomy and community media in Mexico and Honduras. On Tuesday, a caravan bringing humanitarian aid to an autonomous community in Oaxaca, Mexico, was attacked by a paramilitary group linked to the state government. The autonomous Triqui community of San Juan Copala has been the subject of threats and violence from paramilitary groups for years. In 2008 two indigenous women radio promoters were assassinated as they traveled to a regional meeting of community radio organizations.
When indigenous coca activist Evo Morales was elected president of Bolivia, the celebration of this victory for grassroots social movements in the country was tempered in some quarters by suspision about what would actually change. 
Over the last several months, attention has drifted away from the country of Honduras and the ongoing conflict there. The mainstream media and international officials have repeatedly insisted that democracy has been restored, that there is no need to speak of the brief interruption in the democratic process that Honduras experienced in 2009. But the people on the ground in Honduras know that this is not the case.
With two days to go until the re-launching of Radio Faluma Bimetu, there is a buzz about Triunfo de la Cruz as the community is enveloped by increasing activity and visits of solidarity from international and Honduran collectives, organizations and individuals. Bit by bit, the community radio that was ransacked and left in ashes (on January 6th) after the failed attempt to silence the voices that defend the territory, culture and tradition of the Garifuna community, is beginning to take form.
A US Department of the Interior Judge revoked Peabody Coal Company's mining permit for operations on Black Mesa in Arizona. Wahleah Johns, co-director of Black Mesa Water Coalition, one of the petitioners in the appeal, issued the following statement: "As a community member of Black Mesa I am grateful for Judge Holt's decision.