Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
Around the world: The Indonesian government acknowledges ancestral forests, river protection gets a boost in Australia, four First Nations partner with a forest company in Canada and an exhibit at the U.S. Capitol focuses on the plight of Uyghurs in China.
INDONESIA: Government acknowledges ancestral forest claims
In an historic move, the Indonesian government has acknowledged the ancestral forest claims of Indigenous communities within the Aceh province of Sumatra, Mongabay reported on Oct. 26.
SUPPORT INDIGENOUS JOURNALISM. CONTRIBUTE TODAY.
The decision by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in September officially acknowledges the legal rights of ancestral forests spanning more than 55,000 acres in the northern end of Sumatra.
But the government stopped short of approving all requests for recognition, selectively choosing some over others. And some of the territories approved did not align with those originally proposed by the Indigenous communities, Mongabay reported.
The ministry approved recognition for forests under the stewardship of eight traditional communities, known as mukims, which hold a unique administrative position specific to Aceh, functioning between subdistricts and wards, according to Mongabay.
The recognized mukims include Blang Birah, Krueng, and Kuta Jeumpa in the Bireuen district; Paloh, Kunyet, and Beungga in the Pidie district; and Krueng Sabee and Panga Pasi in the Aceh Jaya district.
Another 13 mukims in Aceh, however, are also seeking recognition for their rights over more than 350,000 acres of customary forests.
Still, some mukim chiefs believe the newfound legal recognition will empower Indigenous peoples in their efforts to sustainably manage their forests.
Abdul Hanan, who heads Aceh’s forestry agency, said the Indigenous communities must now develop preservation plans while preserving ecosystems, Mongabay reported.
“Prioritize planting and reforestation,” he said. “This is an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to protect their forests and receive income from carbon trading [in the process].”
AUSTRALIA: River protection gets an important ally
The Western Australian government is pledging to safeguard the Martuwarra Fitzroy River from extensive irrigation by banning extraction of water from the National Heritage waterway, National Indigenous Times reported on Oct. 24.
The government, in a recent policy position paper, outlined key principles for the forthcoming Fitzroy River Water Allocation Plan, which will include the prohibition on extraction from the Martuwarra Fitzroy River and protect aquifers.
The paper also suggests that there could be more involvement of Traditional Owners in managing water-related cultural heritage and on the upcoming regulations on groundwater use, National Indigenous Times reported.
The policy paper came in response to widespread opposition to plans to extract 300 billion liters of water – about 79 trillion gallons – each year for large-scale irrigation.
Kimberley Land Council Chairperson Anthony Watson praised the government’s commitment to protecting the Fitzroy River.
“Our old people were born on the banks of the river. It gives us life from the beginning and to our end, when our spirit goes back to country,” he said, according to National Indigenous Times.
“We have fought for many years for rights to our land and as Native title holders, and it is important that the Cook Government is now recognizing Traditional Owners’ vital role in managing the land and its waterways.”
He continued, “The principles are a step in the right direction but must be followed by real and genuine engagement with Traditional Owners. The WA Government must stand by these commitments.”
Officials said the Fitzroy River catchment supports an important tropical savannah and is home to the critically endangered freshwater sawfish. It also includes a major population of Barramundi, freshwater prawns and other seafood.
CANADA: First Nations form partnership with forest company
The formation of a limited partnership between four First Nations and a prominent British Columbia forest company is seen as a promising direction for the province’s industry, CBC News reported on Oct. 25.
First Nations from the Campbell River region on Vancouver Island are purchasing a 34 percent ownership share in Western Forest Products for $35.9 million Canadian, partially funded through provincial treaty agreements, CBC News reported.
Premier David Eby characterized the partnership as collaborative reconciliation among First Nations, businesses, and communities after years of conflict and legal disputes over land.
“It’s a landmark agreement,” Ebay said at a news conference. “What it’s really about is increasing the role of First Nations as stewards of their territories and driving stronger communities and greater economic development on northern Vancouver Island.”
The collaboration includes the K’omoks, Wei Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, and Tlowitsis First Nations, and will oversee more than 600 square miles of woodlands near Campbell River and Sayward. They will also oversee an allowable annual timber cut of more than 1 million cubic yards.
Chief Dallas Smith, who leads the Nanwakolas Council representing the four First Nations, said the partnership marks progress toward sustainable and efficient forest management.
“Sometimes these relationships take some friction to push them over the line,’‘ he said, according to CBC.
Stephen Hofer, president of Western Forest Products, said the partnership brings a fresh chapter in British Columbia’s forestry sector, offering an opportunity for everyone to engage and reap rewards.
“We recognize that our future lies not only in the products we make but the relationships we build,” he said, according to CBC News.
CHINA: Exhibit at US Capitol highlights plight of Uyghurs
A weeklong informational exhibit including artwork and photos organized by Amnesty International was featured in the U.S. Senate Rotunda to draw attention to the mass detention, torture, and indoctrination of an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in Chinese internment camps, Radio Free Asia reported on Oct. 25.
The exhibit showcased images of Chinese officials confiscating religious and cultural artifacts, red buses transporting Uyghurs to camps at night, and a guard poised to strike a detainee restrained in a constrictive metal chair.
An opening reception kicked off the exhibit on Oct. 23, with Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and representatives of the Uyghur Human Rights Project and the Atlantic Council Strategic Litigation Project.
China has denied claims of abuse of Uyghurs in the far western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, saying the internment camps function as vocational training centers to combat terrorism and religious extremism.
Camp survivor Tursunay Ziyawudun recounted the torture, rape, and hardships endured by Uyghur women in the camps, with Ziyawudun being one of the few to escape a Chinese internment camp, Radio Free Asia reported.
Uyghur human rights activists Omer Kanat, Rayhan Asat, and Rushan Abbas also called for international action to halt the ongoing Uyghur genocide.
My final thoughts
My final thoughts are in Australia, where I commend the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for taking a significant step by recognizing 15 percent of the forest areas as Indigenous communities in Aceh. This recognition reflects a positive stride toward acknowledging the rights and aspirations of these communities.
It’s crucial, however, to emphasize the importance of granting recognition to 100 percent of the proposed forest areas. Doing so would not only honor the rightful claims of these Indigenous groups but also contribute to sustainable forest management, cultural preservation, and the protection of biodiversity.
By recognizing the full extent of customary forests, the ministry can demonstrate a firm commitment to environmental conservation and Indigenous rights. It can also foster a sense of trust and collaboration between the government and these communities.
Ultimately, granting full recognition is not only ethically sound but also essential for the long-term wellbeing of both the forests and the people who have been their stewards for generations.
Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT’s free newsletter.