Canada celebrates first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The day, which honors the lost children and survivors of Indigenous schools, comes after more than 1,000 unmarked graves were discovered at former schools this year.
Indigenous groups
Australia returns one of world’s oldest rainforests to Indigenous people
As BBC News reports, the historic handoff also includes the Cedar Bay (Ngalba Bulal), Black Mountain (Kalkajaka), and Hope Islands national parks, a combined area of more than 160,000 hectares.
Historic Indigenous water rights agreement finalized in Montana
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are celebrating the final approval of a $1.9bn water rights settlement that resolves tribal claims throughout Western Montana and authorizes funding to 1,300 miles of canals.
Canada announces $340 million investment to support Indigenous-led conservation
More than half of the investment will go towards supporting new and existing Indigenous Guardians initiatives as well as the development of Indigenous Guardians Networks for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
Indigenous resistance has staved off 25% of U.S. and Canada’s annual emissions
A new report by Indigenous Environmental Network and Oil Change International found that Indigenous-led resistance over the past decade has stopped or delayed the equivalent of 25% of annual U.S. and Canadian emissions.
Several Native tribes make COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone in Oklahoma
The Chickasaw, Choctaw, Osage, Cherokee, and Potawatomi nations are offering vaccinations to anyone in Oklahoma who needs one.
More Native American tribes are buying back their ancestral lands
As one example, the Klamath Tribes of southern Oregon purchased a 1,705-acre patchwork of meadows, wetlands, and timberland that had once belonged to them.
Salmon spawn in the upper Columbia River for the first time in 80 years
Since 2014, tribes along the Columbia River have been working on a plan to reintroduce salmon to the river, researching factors such as habitat, fish passage, and others.
50 Native American tribes are now implementing climate strategies
Dozens of Native nations and tribal institutions in the United States have designed climate change plans that include formal strategies and initiatives to increase the resiliency of their communities.
After 250 years, Big Sur land returned to Esselen tribe
As part of a $4.5 million land deal, 1,200 acres of undeveloped private property near Big Sur are being transferred to the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving tribal heritage.