First Peoples Worldwide Spring Newsletter
May 9, 2014
It’s springtime and change is in the air!
First Peoples Worldwide’s newsletter is back, now as a quarterly digest of the latest news from First Peoples and the global Indigenous movement. Look for future newsletters as the seasons change!
This spring, we’re launching new programs to build regional Indigenous networks, beginning new partnerships to fund more community projects, and joining Indigenous leaders from around the world at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Here’s some of what we’re up to:
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
The thirteenth annual UNPFII is right around the corner, and First Peoples is as busy as ever. Our tentative schedule of events to be held in New York City includes:
Sunday, May 18th (time TBD) – First Peoples May Board Meeting
Monday, May 19th, 1:15-2:45pm – FPIC Guidebook Training, an official UN side event. We’ll be discussing best practices for incorporating FPIC into policy and training Indigenous leaders on how to ensure that companies seek their consent and honor their answers.
Tuesday, May 20th, 9:00am – 4:00pm – Building Bridges: The Business Case for Indigenous Peoples Rights, a workshop for corporate leaders on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights. First Peoples is partnering with Future 500 and the UN Global Compact to provide companies with guidance on strengthening genuine engagement with Indigenous communities, and to highlight resources that can be leveraged to make the business case about the importance of respecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was created in 2000 as an advisory body to the UN Economic and Social Council. Comprised of 16 Indigenous experts from 7 regions around the world, the Forum submits recommendations to the Council on issues of importance to Indigenous Peoples, including integrating Indigenous concerns into the design of the UN’s programs, agencies and funds. The annual meeting attracts Indigenous representatives from every corner of the globe, and features myriad side events such as First Peoples Worldwide’s FPIC trainings.
Proud to be Indigenous Week 2014 Starts May 11th
The second annual P2BI will be held worldwide from May 11th-17th, 2014. This year’s theme is “Pass the Talking Stick,” a celebration of Indigenous language, music, communication, and voices. We believe that everyone deserves to be heard, which is why we want to flood the Internet with Indigenous voices during the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. There are three easy ways you can join us:
- Join the dialogue by sharing your opinions, perspectives, songs, stories, and photos on social media using the hashtags #Proud2BIndigenous or #P2BI, and be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and blog for updates on UNPFII and P2BI. Each day that week we’ll have a new theme on which we’ll want that hear your thoughts!
- Send us your “Proud to Be Indigenous” photos! It can be as simple or as fancy as you like—just submit a photo stating that you are proud to be Indigenous or proud to support Indigenous peoples along with your name, location, and people to communications@firstpeoples.org or on our Proud to Be Indigenous Facebook page. You can even follow this link to create a custom picture and download a Facebook cover photo. We’ll share them throughout the week!
- Join the P2BI coalition! Our coalition is made up of organizations with similar missions or who support our cause. These organizations help us get out the word about P2BI to their members, and in return we’re happy to help spread the word about any events you have planned during or around UNPFII. Simply email us at communications@firstpeoples.org if you’re interested in joining!
Changes at FPW
We have a new Communications Manager, Britnae Purdy! Britnae is not new to the organization but is taking a hot new role managing First Peoples’ social media and blog. She is currently concentrating on our Proud To Be Indigenous campaign—look for her Facebook updates, Tweets and blog posts during P2BI week, May 11th-17th. Our grants coordinator, Jackie Tiller, is taking on a new title and another layer of responsibility in addition to managing grants—Jackie is the new Administrative Manager, a role that will encompass all of First Peoples’ operations. Lastly, Neva and Dan Morrison have moved on to concentrate on their management consulting startup, IMAGINE Social Good, which helps social innovators realize the change they want to see in the world. We wish them the best!
New Grant Application and Indigenous Rights Report on the Way!
Based on feedback from our grantees, we have created a new version of our online grant application. Look for the launch of the new applications on firstpeoples.org soon! We’ll also be updating last year’s Indigenous Rights Risk Report to include the latest data and focus risk information around a theme.
Thank you for all of your continued support of First Peoples Worldwide and Indigenous Peoples around the globe.
Sincerely,
The First Peoples Staff
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