Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC)

Australia - Aborigines have a right to economic development

whit — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 16:57:53 +0100

In his victory speech, new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced: “There has never been a more exciting time to be alive than today and there has never been a more exciting time to be an Australian.

Extractive Industries and Human Rights in Central Africa

whit — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 13:51:38 +0100

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights held a sub-regional consultation for Central Africa, in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 13 to 15 July 2015.

Fiji - Listen to youths, chief pleads

whit — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 20:14:11 +0100

GOVERNMENT and Opposition must listen to the youths of Fiji.

The plea was made by member of Opposition Ratu Suliano Matanitobua in Parliament yesterday.

The Tui Namosi referred to concerns of Bua urban youths who called for wider consultation in the district of Wainunu for the proposed Wainunu bauxite mine.

“The network is stressing the need for development that is focused and driven by the people, where all members of the community are meaningfully involved in all stages from consultation, negotiation to monitoring stage,” Ratu Suliano said.

“The network is cal

Russia - Evenks of Amur Region vow to stop UK based gold mining company

whit — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 20:29:00 +0100

Indigenous residents of Ivanovskoye village in Selemdzhinski District in Amur Region in Russia’s Far East are outraged by the plans of a UK based gold mining company to start an open cast gold mine less than two kilometres from their village without their consent. I village gathering held 10 September, they vowed to defend their territories and threatened road blocks to stop the company from carrying out their plans.

On 10 July, the villager had held an initial gathering where they had discussed their concerns regarding the planned gold and its impact on their territory and livelihood.

USA - Hillary Clinton Announces Opposition to KXL, Native Leaders Respond

whit — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:31:42 +0100

At a town hall meeting in Iowa yesterday afternoon, Hillary Clinton finally gave her position on the Keystone XL pipeline, telling the crowd, “I oppose it. I oppose it because I don’t think it’s in the best interest of what we need to do to combat climate change.”

Clinton’s statement is being met with skepticism and guarded celebration by grassroots Native American leaders of the Oceti Sakowin, also known as the Great Sioux Nation.

Colombian Constitutional Court decision to reject mining could change the history of the Amazon

whit — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 09:37:19 +0100

After five years of legal uncertainty, the Colombian Constitutional court finally made clear that a National Park prevails over a mining title. A victory for nature and indigenous peoples and a precedent in defense of territory for communities all around the world!

In our time of devastation in the natural world around us, with the exception of indigenous people, nature is rarely expressed as sacred (Cashford 2011).

USA - Sacred Lands vs. King Coal

whit — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:28:00 +0100

Indigenous struggles against resource extraction are gathering strength in the Pacific Northwest

Under the breaking waves of Lummi Bay in northwest Washington, salmon, clams, geoducks and oysters are washed in rhythmic cascades from the Pacific Ocean. Just north of here is Cherry Point, home for three intimately related threatened and endangered species: herring, Chinook salmon, and orcas. It is also the home of the Lummi Nation, who call themselves the Lhaq’temish (LOCK-tuh-mish), or the People of the Sea.

Canada - Study touts free, informed consent as key to resource development

whit — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 12:45:10 +0100

The report, “Understanding Successful Approaches to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in Canada. Part I.” can be downloaded here – http://borealcouncil.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/BLC_FPIC_Successes_Re...

————

Can we talk?

Cambodia - Major breakthrough in mediation between Hoang Anh Gia Lai company and fourteen indigenous villages

whit — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:11:22 +0100

Siem Reap – A major breakthrough was reached in the mediation between fourteen Cambodian indigenous communities and the Vietnamese rubber firm Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), during meetings held this week in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

On 15-19 September 2015, community representatives of fourteen indigenous villages affected by HAGL’s land concessions in Ratanakiri province, company representatives of HAGL and its subsidiaries, and the communities’ advisors, including Inclusive Development International, met in Siem Reap.

Canada - First Nations pledge to work together to promote development on their terms

whit — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:52:21 +0100

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin and Nacho Nyak Dun sign accord

Chiefs representing three First Nations in northern Yukon signed a sustainable development agreement in Dawson City Thursday.

A new agreement between Yukon’s three northern first nations aims to ensure sustainable development on their traditional territory.

The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin and Nacho Nyak Dun signed the North Yukon First Nations Inter-Governmental Accord in Dawson City Thursday.

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in chief Roberta Joseph says the accord will help ensure First Nation rights under the um