“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.

Celebrating indigenous and local farmers on World Food Day 2022!
Leaving no one behind, celebrating culture and diversity, celebrating environmental and spiritual integrity!

Through the partnership of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO) and Samdhana Institute, we successfully held “Lambo Mag-Uuma!” event in celebration of World Food Day, at the Limketkai Mall 2nd level event center on October 14-16, 2022. This is also our joint activity, in solidarity with the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month (October) in the Philippines.

Natural resources can provide a source of food, fuel, shelter and various other essential materials. They also underpin complex beliefs and traditions that can be the lifeblood of communities. In the digital era and in the midst of the 4.0 industrial revolution, many people are utilising them as the basis for sustainable livelihoods.

How do we, in Southeast Asia, understand ‘loss and damage’? 

The Manila Observatory, with Samdhana Institute and Chiang Mai University, is undertaking a project to gather the various perspectives and experiences of  individuals and organizations on Loss and Damage. 

Following many years of shifting cultivation practices, Yotoro Hill in Papua’s Jayapura Regency is in a critical condition. This has impacted Indigenous Peoples (IP) living nearby in Kwadeware Village, Waibu District, in the form of landslides and flash floods. In response, the women and youths of Kwadeware Village have taken action, by planting trees on Yotoro Hill.