The world’s indigenous peoples are making themselves heard in international arenas, and at the national level, where their growing mobilisation is translating into political muscle. But many challenges remain in the fight for recognition of all their rights.

BRAZIL: Guaraní Suffering Breakdown of Culture, Suicides
By Fabiana Frayssinet
RIO DE JANEIRO (IPS) – One young indigenous person commits suicide every 10 days on average in the centre-west Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Blamed on the lack of land and opportunities, the proportions of this tragedy have drawn the attention of local and foreign experts.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46756

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U.S.: Obama Urged to Sign Native Rights Declaration
By Haider Rizvi
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The United States is considering whether to endorse a major U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for the recognition of the rights of the world?s 370 million indigenous peoples over their lands and resources.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46742

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AGRICULTURE: Foreigners Lead Global Land Rush
By Stephen Leahy*
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, USA (Tierramérica) – More than 20 million hectares of farmland in Africa and Latin America are now in the hands of foreign governments and companies, a sign of a global “land grab” that got a boost from last year’s food crisis.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46724

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MEXICO: Congress Closed to Indigenous Women
By Diego Cevallos
MEXICO CITY (IPS) – No indigenous woman has ever held a seat in the Mexican Congress. But two of them, one belonging to the conservative ruling party and the other representing the leftwing opposition, are trying to change that in the July legislative elections.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46688

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RIGHTS: Indigenous Wisdom Against Climate Change
By Stephen Leahy*
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Tierramérica**) – While industrialised countries like Canada continue to emit ever-higher levels of greenhouse-effect gases, indigenous peoples around the world are working to survive and adapt to an increasingly dangerous climate.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46647

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AUSTRALIA: Climate Change – Further Threat to Aboriginals
By Neena Bhandari
SYDNEY (IPS) – Climate change will further marginalise Australia?s Aboriginal communities, forcing them out of their traditional lands, destroying their culture and significantly affecting their access to water resources, indigenous rights advocates warn.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46774

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CLIMATE CHANGE: Burden Lies with Rich Polluters, Native People Say
By Stephen Leahy
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (IPS) – Already suffering significant impacts from climate change, indigenous peoples at the close of an international summit here rejected the concept of carbon trading and offsets. Many also called for a moratorium on all new oil and gas exploration in their traditional territories and the eventual phase-out of fossil fuels.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46634

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ENVIRONMENT: U.N. to Celebrate “Mother Earth Day”
By Haider Rizvi
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – “Mother Earth is not an object or merchandise. Mother Earth cannot be bought or sold,” said Bolivian President Evo Morales, speaking at a heavily-attended news conference here at U.N. headquarters on Earth Day.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46598

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CLIMATE CHANGE: Native Peoples Sound Dire Warning
By Stephen Leahy*
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (IPS) – Humanity’s hot carbon breath is not just melting the planet's polar regions, it is disrupting natural systems and livelihoods around the world, indigenous people reported this week at a global meeting on climate change in Anchorage, Alaska.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46594

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Q&A: Indigenous People in Colombia “Have Become a Strong Force”
Mario Osava interviews indigenous leader AÍDA QUILCUÉ
BOGOTA (IPS) – There is a heavy turnover of social movement leaders in Colombia, given the frequency with which they are killed, displaced or forced into exile. And because of the dangers, those who step up to the plate can be considered veritable heroes ? one of whom is indigenous leader Aída Quilcué.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46528

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ENVIRONMENT: Indigenous Peoples Demand Greater Role in Climate Debate
By Stephen Leahy*
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Tierramérica) – While indigenous peoples from around the world are meeting in this Alaskan city to seek a greater role in global climate negotiations, the rapidly warming Arctic is forcing some Inuit villages to be relocated.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46561

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