Samdhana Institute in the Philippines has opened its Manila office, located on the 2nd floor of the Manila Observatory, inside the campus of Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). 

From 11 to 15 October 2023, the PARARA consortium, which includes the Samdhana Institute, is hosting Festival PARARA 2023 in Jakarta. The event aims to showcase a range of curated entrepreneurial products, representing a diversity of communities and Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia. Each product is rooted in the wisdom and traditions of its makers, while also being emblematic of communities’ desire for harmony with nature. 

From 27-29 March 2023, Samdhana convened its Grant Advisers at the Furama Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, this was the first offline gathering in almost three years. For many Samdhana Advisers it was a chance to meet their colleagues – and some of their key Partners – for the very first time.

“Water is sacred resource for our livelihoods, apart from the forests. A potential investor came to our indigenous community and said that ‘the natural resources, cultures, rituals, that your community have is amazing. It would be attractive for external visitors,’” said Putu, an Indigenous community member from Dalem Tamblingan, Buleleng, Bali, as he recalled his encounter with an investor who had managed to attain a business permit from the local government to open a tourism facility in his village. 

Asia Learning Exchange on Social Inclusiveness and Youth is taking place in Bali, 28 May to 2 June 2023. This event is co-organized by the Coalition for Tenure Justice in Indonesia (Koalisi Tenure/KT), Tenure Facility,  International Land Coalition (ILC) and Samdhana Institute. The Exchange brings together partners, coalition members and allies in Southeast Asia region, working to strengthen the protection of peoples' land rights.

May 23, the 2023 South East Asia Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders (WEHRDs) Summit officially opened, taking place in West Adonara District, East Flores Regency, Indonesia. Dozens of indigenous peoples and local communities from Southeast Asia attended this event. 

Young Indigenous people from various regions in Indonesia joined the “Good Facilitator Training for Indigenous Youth” in Yogyakarta from 15 – 17 December. Around 20 youth, whose organizations had received support from Samdhana Institute before, such as BRASTI from Bali, Barisan Pemuda Adat Nusantara (BPAN), Sanggar Seni Alegra Lembata in NTT, and Komunitas Menoken Jayapura in Papua attended this event.

By Bing Mordeno and Sr. Ashwena Apao

The Subanens, the indigenous peoples inhabiting Western Mindanao, perceive non-Subanens, particularly the Bisaya, as land-grabbers having a superiority complex, the kind of people that need to be avoided. On the other hand, Subanens are being thought of as unclean, uncivilized, and devoid of good manners, among other negative traits.

"Be proud, don't be ashamed, and continue to live the culture." This is the pledge of the indigenous youth who attended the second Youth Noken Philippines held last November 12, 2022, online. With the theme "Indigenous Youth: Unite, Help Each Other to Develop, Stabilize and Strengthen Culture", it aimed to give the various tribal youth groups a platform to meet and ato share their initiatives towards the development of their culture and communities.