Our voices will endure—even if they try to silence them.
On May 13, 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation declared the activities of the Batani International Fund for the Development and Solidarity of Indigenous Peoples “undesirable” on Russian territory. This decision is more than a bureaucratic formality—it’s a signal. Another attempt…
Historic International Conference on Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Russian Far East Held on Orcas IslandInternational Conference on Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia, and the Far East and the Future of Russia Held on the Island”) reports on a recent international conference focused on the rights and future of Indigenous peoples in Russia’s northern regions.
From April 14 to 17, 2025, a historic international conference took place on Orcas Island, Washington State, USA, on the traditional lands of the Lummi Nation. The event focused on the current situation and future of the Indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia, and…
Valentina Sovkina: This reminds me of an unequal marriage
Sovkina V.V., Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 22.02.2025 Lately, I have written little and rarely write about public events in which I participate and my opinions on them. However, I want to talk about this particular event, as it…
‘Extermination of Entire Nations’: Scientist Maria Vyushkova Counts Russia’s Indigenous War Dead
On her YouTube channel, Maria Vyushkova describes herself as “a scientist by profession, Buryat by ethnicity” and “anti-war and decolonial activist by the sphere of social engagement.” In the three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Vyushkova, who holds a Ph.D. in chemistry, has…
Ironic notes on legitimacy, among other things…
Hearings on enhancing participation of indigenous peoples at the UN Human Rights Council have concluded recently in Geneva. These hearings are part of the process of implementing decisions of the UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples held in 2014. For reference, the World Conference…
The European Parliament Discussed the Issues of Indigenous Peoples
On February 4, 2025, the European Parliament in Brussels hosted a discussion titled “Land Exploitation, Oppression of Peoples: Discrimination and Persecution of Indigenous Peoples of Siberia, the North, and the Far East.” This event was organized by the Anti-Discrimination Center “Memorial” (Brussels) in collaboration…
The U.N. and Indigenous Peacebuilding: An Untapped Partnership
In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in peace agreement negotiations, transitional justice processes, conflict resolution, mediation, and constructive arrangements. This move underscores the recognition of Indigenous communities’ unique contributions to peacebuilding. …
Russia’s Supreme Court designated 172 indigenous groups as “terrorist” organizations
On November 22, 2024, Russia’s Supreme Court designated 172 indigenous groups as “terrorist” organizations, alleging their involvement in promoting secession and supporting Ukraine’s military efforts, as announced by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Authorities assert that these groups function as “structural subdivisions” of the Free…
“Listening to comments from Russian opposition experts about yet another live broadcast featuring Putin (I haven’t watched those broadcasts in years), I was reminded of a story from about 10 years ago.”
United Russia was holding a meeting in Khabarovsk. Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny first called it the “party of crooks and thieves.” Putin was in attendance. It was yet another staged gathering of subordinates meeting their “tsar.” This event featured not only crooks and…