Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
For Indigenous communities around the world, 2024 was a year of triumphs and challenges. They celebrated victories in human rights and cultural preservation while continuing to battle systemic inequalities. Through it all, their resilience and determination shone through.
Victories
In Canada, Métis bead-worker Jennine Krauchi received a prestigious art award. Renowned for her dedication to Métis beadwork, she was recognized by the Manitoba Arts Council with its 2024 Award of Distinction, APTN News reported. The award included a $30,000 prize and celebrated her contributions to artistic excellence and community involvement. For over 40 years, Krauchi promoted Métis beadwork globally, fostering cultural pride and artistic heritage. Her intricate designs, which incorporate both traditional and contemporary elements, have been showcased internationally, helping to raise awareness of Métis culture and history. Krauchi’s work is widely regarded as a bridge connecting generations through art and storytelling.
In Australia, NAISDA Dance College, a leading First Nations arts training institution, received $13 million as part of the Federal Budget, National Indigenous Times reported. This funding was part of a $115.2 million allocation for eight national arts organizations under the Arts8 initiative, following a 2023 sustainability review. The college has been instrumental in preserving Indigenous dance traditions while offering students pathways to professional careers in the performing arts. With this new funding, NAISDA plans to expand its curriculum, enhance its facilities, and increase access for aspiring Indigenous performers from remote communities.
In Brazil, the government announced a new plan to restore 12 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 under the Planaveg 2.0 initiative, Mongabay reported. Introduced at COP16, this effort aims to address climate change and protect biodiversity. By the end of the year, 5.6 million hectares were undergoing natural regrowth, signaling progress toward the ambitious target. Brazil, home to approximately 15-18 percent of the world’s known species, has positioned itself as a leader in global biodiversity conservation. The initiative also emphasizes collaboration with Indigenous communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into restoration efforts, ensuring the sustainability of these vital ecosystems.
Struggles
In China, a report by the Uyghur Human Rights Project revealed that about 1 in 26 Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang region were incarcerated, representing the world’s highest incarceration rate, Radio Free Asia reported. With approximately 3,814 individuals per 100,000 people behind bars, this figure was 47 times higher than China’s overall incarceration rate of 80 per 100,000. The report estimated that as of 2022, 578,500 Uyghurs or other Turkic people were imprisoned, constituting over one-third of China’s total prison population. Notable individuals imprisoned included Rahile Dawut, a Uyghur folklore expert, and Gulshan Abbas, a retired Uyghur doctor. Dawut’s life sentence for “splittism” has drawn international condemnation, with many viewing it as part of a broader campaign to suppress Uyghur identity and culture. The findings, based on data from 2017-2022, linked many incarcerations to practicing Islam, such as Quranic study, highlighting the systemic targeting of religious practices.
In China, Chinese authorities banned students in Nyagchu county, Sichuan, from using Tibetan in schools, mandating communication in Mandarin for “safety reasons,” Radio Free Asia reported. This move followed similar restrictions, including the 2020 shutdown of private Tibetan schools and the prohibition of Tibetan language classes during winter breaks. The restrictions have sparked outcry from Tibetan rights groups, who argue that such measures are part of a broader effort to erase Tibetan culture and assimilate younger generations into Han Chinese society. Reports from the region indicate that parents and educators who resist these policies face severe repercussions, including fines and imprisonment.
In the Philippines, proposed dams in Kalinga province on the Chico River created divisions among communities, with military operations heightening tensions, Mongabay reported. Villagers reported increased fear and conflict, with some areas experiencing bombings linked to hydropower projects. The Chico River, a vital water source and cultural symbol for Indigenous communities, has become a flashpoint for disputes over land rights and resource management. Local leaders have called for greater transparency and consultation, emphasizing the need to prioritize the well-being of affected families and preserve the river’s ecological integrity.
In Suriname, the government launched the world’s first sovereign carbon credits under the Paris Agreement, but Indigenous communities claimed exclusion from forest conservation policies and revenue sharing, Mongabay reported. Critics argued the program violated the principle of free, prior and informed consent. Indigenous leaders expressed concerns that the program’s benefits disproportionately favor corporate interests, leaving communities that have historically protected these lands without a voice in decision-making. The lack of consultation has fueled mistrust and highlighted the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights in global climate initiatives.
In Canada, descendants retraced the steps of Indigenous veterans, including Sam Glode, who served in World War I, CBC News reported. Events in Flanders Fields commemorated Remembrance Day and Canada’s Indigenous Veterans Day, highlighting their contributions to global history. Glode, a skilled sapper, played a crucial role in tunneling operations during the war, a dangerous and underappreciated task. His legacy, along with those of other Indigenous soldiers, serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Indigenous peoples despite facing systemic discrimination at home. The commemorative events in Belgium were a poignant acknowledgment of these contributions.
Health disparities
In Canada, Indigenous communities in Manitoba faced a surge in HIV infections due to systemic racism in the healthcare system. In Saskatchewan, the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation addressed disparities by building a 24-hour urgent care center to improve access to healthcare. The new facility, slated to open in 2025, is designed to provide culturally sensitive care and address longstanding gaps in services for remote communities. Leaders hope this initiative will serve as a model for other Indigenous communities seeking to reclaim control over their healthcare systems.
In New Zealand, after five decades in service, financial pressures, loss of qualified staff, and declining enrollment numbers resulted in the closure of the Whangārei Childcare Centre after 50 years in operation, Te Ao Maori News reported. The decision to shut down the Northland center left families scrambling to find new childcare arrangements and long-term staff devastated.
My final thoughts
Indigenous communities around the world faced many highs and lows in 2024. They celebrated victories in human rights and cultural preservation while continuing to battle systemic inequalities.
Through it all, they demonstrated their resilience and determination. As we move into 2025, I encourage Indigenous peoples to carry forward their unwavering spirit and strength. Your perseverance inspires us all and paves the way for a better future.
I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my readers and ICT’s supporters. Your commitment and engagement have been invaluable in amplifying the voices and stories of Indigenous communities.
As a nonprofit news organization, we rely on your continued support to keep bringing you these important stories. Please consider supporting us in the year ahead to ensure that Indigenous perspectives and issues remain at the forefront of the conversation.
Together, we can make a difference.
And lastly, allow me to wish you happy holidays and a better year ahead.
Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT’s free newsletter.