Poisoned Water and Oppression: Breaking the Silence in Russia, Amazon and Okinawa

Russia's Indigenous Speaking at the U.N. in Geneva on Monday. Screenshot Censored News.

Breaking the Silence -- Indigenous in Russia, Amazon and Okinawa Tell U.N. of Poisoned Water, Dying Reindeer and Oppression as Illegal Mining Brings Disease and Death

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 15, 2025

GENEVA -- Indigenous Peoples are silenced when they speak out about mining in Russia, while drug trafficking, logging and illegal mining are forcing isolated Indigenous Peoples from their homelands in the Amazon. In Okinawa, Japan refuses to recognize Indigenous Peoples, and they suffer from the toxic dumping left behind by the U.S. military.

Indigenous Defenders Face Reprisals and the New Threat of AI, Artificial Intelligence -- U.N. Expert Mechanism Begins in Geneva

 

Chair Valmaine Toki opened the session for the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Toki, previous chair, is a law professor at the University of Waikato.

Indigenous Defenders Face Reprisals and the New Threat of AI, Artificial Intelligence: U.N. Expert Mechanism Begins in Geneva

Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 14, 2025

GENEVA -- The United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples began today. The increased reprisals for those speaking out at the U.N., the destruction of mining, and the new threat of AI, artificial intelligence, using Indigenous knowledge without consent, were priorities. The victories include the new progress of  the Rights of Nature, resulting in legal recognition for rivers and mountains.

The new chair elected today, Anexa Cunningham of Nicaragua, began with a chilling warning about derogatory and inflammatory remarks.

Haudenosaunee Cayuga Chief Deskaheh began the session with a prayer of thanks. President of the Human Rights Council Swiss Ambassador Jürg Lauber followed, expressing concern over the rise in reprisals for those speaking out at the U.N.

United Nations Hears of Devastation for Indigenous Peoples -- And Stories of Hope

Lisa White Pipe, Sicangu Lakota, testifies before the U.N. Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo courtesy Coalition Large Tribes.

United Nations Hears of Devastation for Indigenous Peoples -- And Stories of Hope

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 18, 2023

GENEVA -- The United Nations heard testimony from Indigenous Peoples around the world today, on the devastation from mining, ongoing genocide, and a story of hope from Alaska about a young French boy who helped save the Eyak language.

"There is no greater offender of tribal rights than the U.S. Justice Department," said Lisa White Pipe, Lakota, Sicangu Rosebud council member, representing the Coalition of Large Tribes, chaired by the Blackfeet Nation.

White Pipe's testimony was before the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of the U.N. Human Rights Council, during the second day of the five-day session.