Indigenous Climate Connections Creates Solidarity Around Asia

“As present and future leaders of our communities, we have to take action,” said Ivan ‘Sukkaydan’ Torafing, Igorot from Cordillera, Philippines, in his keynote address to the thirty-five indigenous youth leaders in the opening ceremonies of the Indigenous Climate Connections (ICC) gathering held last November 14-20, 2009.  The conference, in cooperation with Jaringan Tanah Hak Adat Bangsa Asal Sarawak (TAHABAS) and sponsored by YES!, gathered indigenous youths from 18 indigenous communities from eight countries around Asia to learn from each other and formulate strategic actions to address the issue of climate change as an issue of justice and self-determination of the indigenous peoples.  Moreover, it continues to train and build the capacity of indigenous young people’s in utilizing different UN mechanisms and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ (UNDRIP) in advancing the issues of their communities and nations.

Beforehand, a cultural exchange and a community participatory video workshop was facilitated by APIYN was conducted in the indigenous Iban longhouse of Ruma Mat in Tatau, Sarawak from November 11-13, 2009.  The community folk, young and old alike became participants in the five-day training wherein they learn the basic of handling the video camera and filming. This time, it was the indigenous peoples turn to convey a message, this time it is up to them to decide what to show and how to show it.

In conjunction, massive oil palm plantation construction is ongoing over Malaysia, especially Sarawak. Big companies has come to the territories of indigenous peoples and bulldozed thousand hectares of forest land for this purpose. In addition to that, there are also several applications to build dams in the area, mostly considered as territories inhabited by indigenous peoples, to generate hydroelectric for local and exports purpose. One of the impacts was heavy flood that occurred in Sarawak last January until February this year. That was the worst flood after almost 20 years Sarawak free from any natural phenomena.

Part of the program was a community immersion wherein the delegates experienced the rich culture as well as the day-to-day activities in the community. The community prepared an elaborate welcome for their visitors, which include a traditional ceremony lasting till midnight. The night was filled with speeches, songs, and endless dancing. “It was an eye-opening experience, seeing that indigenous peoples of the globe experience almost same issues,” said Bidhayak Chakma, APIYN coordinator from Chittagong Hill Tracts Youth Association in Bangladesh.

During the conference, the participants were enlightened with discussions regarding the overall situation of the indigenous peoples in the world and a crash course on climate change. Afterwards, Maria Theresa Lauron from IBON International discussed about the People’s Movement against Climate Change and how it is an issue of the indigenous peoples. For the next days, the delegates shared the situation of the indigenous peoples and the impacts of climate change in their respective countries. Also, a workshop was conducted in relation to climate change that gave birth to the different resolutions and a Climate Crisis Campaign Plan effective for the next two years.

There were also simultaneous skills share/ workshops on community organizing, campaign planning, administration, arts and journalism between the participants.

At the end of the conference, the delegates were able to come up with declarations and statements that will be presented to different UN bodies specifically in the upcoming Conference of the Parties in Copenhagen on December and in the 9th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on May 2010.

With the output made, the representatives hope to be able to communicate their demands in behalf of the indigenous people in Asia to the international organizations. The recommendations are expected to take shape and be reflected in UN mechanisms and consequently bring about positive impact in Asia, specifically in the IP communities.
The intensifying threat of global warming calls for immediate international cooperation. The indigenous peoples are the ones who are the most vulnerable to this novel kind of marginalization. International organizations must serve as a bridge between the social demands from those in the grassroots to the influential policy-makers in the international arena. Climate change is the antagonist but the story of the indigenous peoples will not end in its violence.

Finally, the last night is always the best. There was a celebration with singing, dancing, games, drinking of native wine, and feasting on native delicacies brought by the host community, the Tatau Iban Longhouse, until the wee hours of the next day. Not only did we left Sarawak with clear things in mind to do but we parted with strong bonding and solidarity.

Long live international solidarity!?Struggle for our right to self-determination!?Indigenous peoples, demand climate justice now!

“I now have a stronger and renewed commitment in raising the awareness of other youth about the indigenous peoples (IP) rights and as well as the environmental and climate change issues.  I can say that the ICC conference has effectively and creatively inspired me to continue with my IP advocacy!”

- Ivan Torafing, 21 years old, Igorot, Philippines

“I know that everything we had shared and learned in the conference will burn like coals, silent as they may seem, but fiery, long and deep burning.  If experience was poetry, then the ICC in Malaysia indeed was experience!”
- Sharma Deviah Buteng, 23 years old, Baguio City, Philippines

- Jennifer Awingan, YES! Program Partner and ICC Organizer