U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues' Final Priorities -- Climate Change, Women's Rights, and Repressions, 2026

U.N.  Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues' Final Priorities -- Climate Change, Women's Rights, and Repressions, 2026

U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2026

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, May 1, 2026

NEW YORK -- The priorities of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues included climate change, forced sterilization, repressions and the rights of refugees, as Indigenous Peoples concluded the two-week session on Friday in New York. 

The dialogue on climate change was the first priority in the draft final statement. It recognizes positive efforts led by Australia, First Nations in Canada, and Brazil. The next priority is the recognition of the right of the Arab Emirates just transition work program. The just transition involving minerals and 'green transition' follows as the priority

U.S. Citizens Released from Israeli Prison Today Describe Brutal Abuse

U.S. citizens released from the brutal Israeli prison and bussed to Jordan for departure.

"I was in a cage with 57 other women, and someone really, really needed a medic -- we were there for hours, and we said, 'medic, medic, medic,' and a guard came and said, 'If you keep asking for a medic we are going to gas you."

Carsie Blanton, released from an Israeli prison, arrived in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

"I'm a Jewish American, and in Israeli detention, I was really treated like scum, in the way you read about in the holocaust."

"We have to try and understand it, to end the occupation and the genocide."
The way they were dehumanized, she said she can not imagine what it is like to be a Palestinian in detention.

Carsie was among 24 U.S. citizens imprisoned for nearly a week in Israel's torture prison, Ktzi'ot, in the Negev desert. They were illegally kidnapped on international waters aboard the Sumud Global Flotilla while bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Watch video https://x.com/i/status/1976131287799742932

U.S. citizens describe being beaten and abused in prison, upon arrival in Jordan today.

By Brenda Norrell, Oct. 7, 2025

U.S. citizens on the Global Sumud Flotilla described being beaten and abused in prison, upon arrival in Jordan today. Jordan arranged the bus transport that took them to the airport in Jordan after five days of abuse in Israel's torture prison. U.S. citizens said they were abandoned and left to rot by their government.

Speaking now from the airport in Jordan, Tommy Marcus said the flotilla was violently and illegally raided by Israeli Naval forces, while carrying aid to the starving people of Gaza. Their boats and belongings were all stolen.

"We were zip-tied, brutalized and blindfolded on route to an Israeli internment camp in the Negev desert."

Tommy Marcus

U.N. Permanent Forum Concludes: Women's Rights and Destructive Mining among Priorities 2025

Resounding Indigenous Women's Voices

The U.N. Permanent Forum: The Sterilization of Native American Women and Destructive Mining are Priorities in Final Report

A representative of Indigenous in Morocco said the world must hold the Moroccan government responsible for not restoring and rebuilding the schools and communities, following the devastating 2023 earthquake in Morocco. Indigenous Amazigh communities in the High Atlas Mountains continue to suffer, nearly 500,000 Amazigh continue without homes and dignity. She urged the release of Indigenous prisoners in Morocco, arrested for peaceful protest of Indigenous rights. On the final day of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April of 2025, Indigenous women delivered powerful statements, including global voices for midwives, and demands for justice for Native American women sterilized by the U.S. government. During the final day, the U.S. government representative criticized China for the genocide of ethnic minorities -- but he did not describe the U.S. government's own genocide.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAmydaLfauQ

Chickaloon Chief to U.N. 'Rights of women, subsistence, and land are not upheld in Alaska'

Chickaloon Chief: 'Why are governments taking up Indigenous Peoples time at U.N. Permanent Forum?'

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, May 6, 2025

NEW YORK -- Chickaloon Traditional Chief Gary Harrison spoke on the murder of Indigenous women and men in Alaska, the lack of subsistence rights and the lack of informed consent for what is happening on the land in Alaska, during the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

To a roar of applause, Chief Harrison questioned why governments are taking up the peoples' time at the U.N. Permanent Forum.

"I also find it strange that this is the Permanent Forum, and yet we have all these governments taking up the peoples' time -- the Indigenous Peoples time -- and telling us everything is OK in their countries."

Gwich'in, Okinawa and Morocco: Indigenous Women, Voices in Struggle, at U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Quannah Chasing Horse, U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issuess 2025, Screenshot by Censored News

Gwich'in, Okinawa and Morocco: Indigenous Women, Voices in Struggle, at United Nations Permanent Forum

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, May 4, 2025

NEW YORK -- It is the sacred place where life begins, and now the U.S. has opened it to leasing for oil and gas drilling, Quannah Chasing Horse of the Gwich'in Steering Committee, told the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

As matriarchs, Indigenous women play an essential role in the community, and are the life-givers and defenders of the earth.

Maōri Urges Probes into Rights Abuses at the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn (Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa) Maori from New Zealand urged an investigation of COVID vaccines at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Maori Urges Probes into Rights Abuses at the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, April 23, 2024

Updated May 2, 2024

NEW YORK -- Maōri urged an investigation into COVID-19 vaccines, during the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on Tuesday, during its second week at U.N. Headquarters in New York.

The Russian Federation denied human rights abuses, which brought a strong response from those in exile and those recalling the genocide of Crimean Tartars.

Indigenous youths called out for support for children and youths who are victims of foster care systems, boarding schools and displacement around the world.

The World Stands with Palestine -- UN: Palestinians in Grave Danger of Mass Ethnic Cleansing

The World Stands with Palestine -- UN: Palestinians in Grave Danger of Mass Ethnic Cleansing

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Native American scholar and member of the Red Nation Nick Estes speaks on Turtle Island's history of supporting genocides and how the Empire's partners silence speech with bombs. Here's part of his speech at a massive protest for Palestine in Minneapolis https://twitter.com/i/status/1713944654943522819
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAv15yxitpE

Defense for Children, Oct. 16, 2023

GAZA UPDATE: More than 1,030 Palestinian children in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7, or about one child every 15 minutes, and more than one-third of the total death toll.

The Center for Constitutional Rights is at the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva:

“The public dehumanization of Palestinians at the highest level of U.S. government has led to skyrocketing repression of activism and all expressions of support for Palestine.” Oct. 16, 2023

Arrests underway at the White House

Now! Arrests are underway at the White House. "American Jews and allies have now blocked more than four doors to the White House. We’re prepared to put our bodies in the way of more slaughter — we’re ready to stay here until Biden forces a ceasefire. No ceasefire, no exit.” -- In Not Now, When

Dearborn, Michigan, US https://twitter.com/i/status/1713754989145792944

One million people marched in Karachi, Pakistan, for Palestine.

DUBLIN, Ireland now -- "Huge numbers turn out to support Palestine" https://twitter.com/i/status/1713204584980660226

A UN human rights expert warned today that Palestinians are in grave danger of mass ethnic cleansing and called on the international community to urgently mediate a ceasefire between warring Hamas and Israeli occupation forces.

Peltier, Oak Flat and Enbridge Line 5: Priorities in UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Report

The U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues urged UNESCO to step up the protection of world heritage sites to protect sites from the mining giant Rio Tinto, including Apaches Oak Flat. Rio Tinto blew up 46,000 years of Australian Aboriginals' history and sacred teachings when it blew up Juukan Gorge caves in Western Australia. (Panel of ancient rock art painting, Quinkan Cave near Laura, Cape York, Queensland, Australia)

By Brenda Norrell

Censored News

June 16, 2023

NEW YORK -- The release of imprisoned Leonard Peltier, the protection of Apaches sacred Oak Flat, and the halt of Enbridge's Line 5 were included in the final report of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The murders of Indigenous in Nicaragua, the imprisonment of Australian Aboriginal children, cross-border crime in the Amazon, and the rights and safety of Indigenous journalists are in the report from the UNPFII's 22nd session held in New York, April 17 -- 28, 2023.

Tohono O'odham Ofelia Rivas with Extinction Rebellion in New York

Singer and actress Melba Moore (left) with Ofelia Rivas in New York.
Photo courtesy Ofelia Rivas

Photo by Ofelia Rivas

Photo Ofelia Rivas

Photo Ofelia Rivas

Tohono O'odham Ofelia Rivas with Extinction Rebellion in New York

Consumerism driven by the corporate system threatens Mother Earth -- Ofelia Rivas

Article by Brenda Norrell
Censored News
French translation by Christine Prat

NEW YORK -- Tohono O'odham Ofelia Rivas spoke to a gathering of Extinction Rebellion in New York on Black Friday, sharing the need to protect Mother Earth.

Ofelia Rivas said she "shared the message for people to consider a personal conscious choice to end consumerism driven by this corporate system."

"The message from Indigenous Peoples is to protect Mother Earth. They are here taking this action, and it is a sign that people have heard our message," Rivas told Censored News.

In New York, Rivas opened the 20 Million Women Strong organization event in the East Village.

While in New York, Rivas provided a prayer song for Bolivians at the "Impunity with the Aymara Community of Bolivia," gathering of The Center for Constitutional Rights and Harvard Law.

At the Concerned Citizens for Change meeting at Manhattan College, Rivas also delivered a presentation.

The Extinction Rebellion action in New York was part of planned Black Friday protests around the world, with activists blockading shopping malls in Paris, Montreal and Madrid, calling for an end to consumerism.

Rivas is founder of O'odham Voice against the Wall and has lived her life on her homeland, battling the U.S. Border Patrol who sit outside her home. One U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations Agent from El Paso pulled a gun on her as he was stalking her at her gate. 

After testifying before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Jamaica in May on the militarization of her homeland, and abuses by U.S. Homeland Security and its Border Patrol on the Tohono O'odham Nation, Ofelia was delayed two days returning home after being targeted by U.S. Homeland Security with repeated searches because of her testimony.

Currently, protected Saguaro Cactus and endangered species are being destroyed near Rivas' home on the Tohono O'odham Nation. At the nearby Organ Pipe National Monument, construction of a border wall segment, now endangers a sacred spring. The border wall construction all along the Arizona border is now blocking the migration paths of jaguar, pronghorn and other rare and endangered species.

The border wall has already proved worthless, as an eight-year-old climber scaled a mock wall in seconds. On the California border recently, the border wall was cut open and a truck driven through it. 

Previously Rivas and O'odham elders returned the remains of their ancestors to their resting place after they were dug up by the United States' construction of a border vehicle barrier on the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Now, the human rights violator Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor responsible for Apartheid security in Palestine, is constructing spy towers on the Tohono O'odham Nation. These integrated fixed towers, contracted by U.S. Homeland Security in remote O'odham communities will continue the spying and stalking of O'odham, which is already underway by the U.S. Border Patrol.

On Friday, at least 27 members of the Extinction Rebellion were arrested in New York.

“This is a real crisis. It’s a moral crisis. We’re in a very sad place,” said Manhattan resident Sarah Kollodny, 80, reports The New York Post.

“We really want to draw attention to what’s happening in the world. Black Friday is a day of strong consumerism,” she added, urging people to “reflect on our resources and consumerism.”

Extinction Rebellion members carried signs calling for “Empathy, humility, frugality” and declaring a “climate emergency,” caused by what they said were carbon emissions from excessive consumption.

Photos copyright Ofelia Rivas
Article copyright Ofelia Rivas, Brenda Norrell, Censored News

VIDEO Indigenous Women Land Defenders at U.N. New York

Tokata Iron Eyes, 14-year-old Dakota, is among youths who first brought attention to Dakota Access Pipeline threatening Standing Rock. "We are the new generation."
"We are going to change the world."
"The only enemy that we have is ignorance."

"No one knows what they are doing right now, because they will hide it from us." LaDonna BraveBull Allard.

"We must empower ourselves. We have a right to live."

"It is about the right of our Mother Earth. It is about the Spirit of the Water."


"What is happening is ethnic cleansing." Michelle Cook, Dine' "We have all been lied to."

"We are not going to be lied to anymore."


"We are using and abusing the land." -- Kandi Mosset, Hidatsa, Mandan, Arikara, urging alternative energy. Corporations are not providing the alternatives the people are demanding.

https://www.facebook.com/WECAN.Intl/videos/2099351246760114/

Watch live below:

FEATURING:
Kandi Mossett (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara; Lead Organizer on the Extreme Energy and Just Transition Campaign with the Indigenous Environmental Network)
Michelle Cook (Diné; human rights lawyer)
Gloria Ushigua (Sápara; President of the Association of Sápara Women, Ecuador)
LaDonna BraveBull Allard (Lakota historian, member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and founder/landowner of Sacred Stone Camp, North Dakota)
Tokata Iron Eyes (Hunkpapa and Oglala Lakota from the Standing Rock Reservation; Youth Advisor for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; Youth Advisor for Sacred Stone Village; Administrator for Last Real Indians)
Thilmeeza Hussain (Former Deputy Ambassador to the UN from the Maldives; WECAN Advisory Council Member; Founder of Voice of Women, Maldives)
Event moderator, Osprey Orielle Lake (Founder and Executive Director, Women's Earth and Climate Action Network, WECAN International)
ABOUT: As a result of the dangerous intersection of colonialism, racism and patriarchy, Indigenous women around the world are impacted first and worst by the effects of environmental destruction and a rapidly changing climate. However despite all odds and against great challenges, it is these very same Indigenous women who are rising up, challenging the status quo, holding a vision, and taking action to build the vital solutions needed for a just and livable future.
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International Panel, Second Panel on the Livestream

Mirian Cisneros (President of the Kichwa Pueblo of Sarayaku, Ecuador) "This struggle is about the women." "Those who began the struggle are no longer with us, but their spirits are with us." Mirian is speaking of the transnational companies, the extraction, oil, mining, and logging, endangering the Amazon. 
Thilmeeza Hussain (Former Deputy Ambassador to the UN from the Maldives; WECAN Advisory Council Member; Founder of Voice of Women, Maldives) She describes how climate change is impacting her island. "It is climate genocide."
Gloria Ushigua (Sápara; President of the Association of Sápara Women, Ecuador) Gloria said she is not afraid to fight Ecuador. Her people are being killed quietly in the Amazon. 

USA Rep Lies About Leonard Peltier at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

USA Representative Lies About Leonard Peltier at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Letter to Democracy Now! by Tony Gonzales
Jean Roach, Lakota, speaks on video below

Censored News

I am Tony Gonzales, executive director with AIM-WEST.  I and members of our delegation that also include members of the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee are attending the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in NYC during April 16-27.

Today during the morning session after the NGO International Indian Treaty Council (AIM affiliate) spoke on the floor regarding political prisoner and human rights defender Leonard Peltier, the USA representative responded immediately without hesitation to the NGO statement.

USA Representative attacked Leonard Peltier at UN Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues. She also denied that the United States
criminalizes dissent. (Screenshot from UN Webcast by Censored News.)

The USA representative proceeded to verbally assault the NGO statement (written in part by Leonard himself!) and they flat out lied with their ‘fake news’ before those attending and the world community (UN webcasting) by fabricating a lie that Leonard Peltier is a ‘murderer’ etc.!  despite to the contrary (See in UN webcasting for Permanent Forum April 18 for complete details).

I seek your journalistic support by calling me at or AIM-WEST delegate Ms. Jean Roach the official representative for political prisoner Leonard Peltier for an update on our response (verbal scud) to the USA ‘fake news.’

Additionally, on Friday April 20 from 12-12:45 pm AIM-WEST will hold a press conference at the UN Correspondence Association (media zone) and will appreciate coverage by “Democracy Now” in support for Leonard Peltier’s case.  Help us to challenge and expose the ‘fake news’ emanating from the state department visa-vie White House!

The USA stepped into their own doo-doo with their reactionary stupidity.  Furthermore, we will encourage all NGO attending the Permanent Forum to also use this opportunity in unity to include support for Leonard’s compassionate release and condemn the USA ‘fake news.’  

You can help us, too, by exploiting this situation in Leonard’s defense/behalf.  It is evident the USA is in a desperate situation by resorting to fabricating lies and can’t take the tooth, er truth!

Additionally, It is common knowledge that Leonard is innocent of the charges against him (aiding and abetting) that even the federal prosecution has stated before a federal judge that in fact they don’t know who shot the two FBI agents on June 26, 1975, they can’t identify who was the shooter, and yet Leonard languishes in prison for 43 years now.

It is 2018, why is political prisoner Leonard Peltier still in prison!  We want Leonards Freedom; medical attention, moved closer to home (now 2,000 miles away), minimum security, and an immediate compassionate release!  Freedom for Leonard Peltier now!

Watch on web TV:
Regarding the USA responding to an NGO concerning Political Prisoner Leonard Peltier:

NGO: International Indian Treaty Council statement at 2:16:33 

USA representative responds to NGO at 2:35:09

(Bears Ears Monument-NGO statement at 1:05:15 
Watch at:
http://webtv.un.org/watch/5th-plenary-meeting-permanent-forum-on-indigenous-issues-17th-session/5772804133001/'

Statement by Jean Roach, Lakota

All my relations!
Tony Gonzales
AIM-WEST

Aho! All my relations!

Tony Gonzales
AIM-WEST director
www.aim-west.org

www.whoisleonardpeltier.info

LIVE in New York: Indigenous Women Protecting Earth, Rights and Communities

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Michelle Cook, Dine', and Casey Camp Horinek, Ponca in New York today.

Photo by Michelle Cook

Click arrow below to watch.

===========================

Featuring 

Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca; Ponca Nation Council Woman, WECAN Advisory Council Member, USA)
Lucy Mulenkei (Maasai; Executive Director of the Indigenous Information Network, Kenya)
Kandi Mossett (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara; Lead Organizer on the Extreme Energy & Just Transition Campaign with the Indigenous Environmental Network, USA)
Gloria Ushigua* (Sápara; President of the Association of Sapara Women, Ecuador) - to be confirmed
Betty Lyons (Onondaga; President and Executive Director of the American Indian Law Alliance, USA)
Michelle Cook (Diné; human rights lawyer and founding member of the of the Water Protector Legal Collective at Standing Rock, USA)
Heather Milton Lightening (Pasqua First Nation, Cree, Anishinabe, Blackfoot and Dakota; Indigenous Tar Sands Campaigner with Polaris Institute, Canada)

Alina Saba (Limbu; Nepal Policy Center, Nepal)

Watch more on Indigenous Women's Media
https://www.facebook.com/womensindigenousmedia/videos/440975529591193/
Read more about forum:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2017/04/indigenous-women-voices-of-global_24.html

Standing Rock Camp Live: Labor Union Workers Arrive to Support -- Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016

.

Labor for Standing Rock arrives in Camp

Article by Brenda Norrell

Censored News

CANNON BALL, North Dakota -- Labor Union workers -- nurses, public defenders, pipeline workers, and teachers -- arrived at Standing Rock Camp to support the water protectors and bring a halt to the Dakota Access Pipeline construction.

Marty Goodman, retired transit worker, from Manhattan in New York, said transit workers identify very strongly with the struggle.

"We're fighting pipelines in New York City."

Union workers came from Cheyenne, Wyoming; Casper, Wyoming; Kansas City, Missouri; Madison, Wisconsin; Lafayette, Colorado, and elsewhere came to defend the water.

They said, "Water is Life!"

A registered nurse from Lafayette, Colorado, said the leader for the AFL-CIO Richard Trumka, had spoken out in support of DAPL -- but union workers did not have a voice in Trumka's decision to promote DAPL.

In Colorado, they are fighting fracking and fighting for the water, he said.

"If workers can put that pipe in the ground, then they can take that pipe right back out and put it on the truck and ship it out of there."

A public defender, with Labor for Palestine, and Labor for Standing Rock, spoke on the vicious attack here by police on unarmed peaceful water protectors.

He said what is happening here reminds him of the Civil Rights struggle, Wounded Knee, Palestine, Ferguson and other struggles.

Most of all, he said, it reminds him of Palestine.

Listen to the video below:

Labor for Palestine, Labor for Standing Rock arrives!

Screen capture by Censored News

Saurday noon. Photo by Marshall.

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016 -- Breaking News: DAPL workers are laying razor wire on the Sacred Sites they bulldoze in the hills east of Highway 1806 as they near the Missouri River with Police Armored vehicle cover! Share! Confirmed with my own eyes. DAPL will have the pipeline complete up to the river in 5-7 days if nothing changes!
Calling all Water Protectors! -- Johnny D.
We must defeat the Dakota Access Pipeline!
Saturday about 1:30 pm -- Live reports now that water protectors will be going in for their teepees. US Border Patrol, which constantly abuses Indigenous on the border, is now there with highway patrol. Morton Co. Sheriff says he will be there when people retrieve their teepees.

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