Giving Compass' Take:

• At the UN Forum, leaders specifically discussed the plight of Indigenous communities in America.  They are mindful that indigenous people have been fighting for their land for many years and want to bring this the attention of the global community. 

• What are steps that both philanthropists and development leaders can take to help indigenous communities? How can partnerships work to better help Native Americas' situation?

•  However, indigenous people are working hard against inequality in the U.S. For instance,  read about a Native American school in Massachusetts that hopes to revive the language of the Mashpee Wampanoag people. 

General Assembly President Miroslav Lajčák reminded everyone “The United Nations is here for people. And that includes indigenous people.” Mr. Lajčák, of Slovakia painted a grim picture of the situation facing indigenous people today, pointing out that while they make up only five percent of the world’s population, they comprise 15 percent of the world’s poorest people.

Focusing on the theme of indigenous land, territories, and resources, he said: “Indigenous people are being dispossessed. They are losing the lands their ancestors called home.” But with global attention to indigenous rights on the rise, Mr. Lajčák saw reasons for hope, as well.

“The signs do look positive,” he said, noting that the UN teams on the ground are developing stronger partnerships, determined to make these communities stronger.

When Evo Morales Ayma, President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, spoke, he explained how for 500 years the indigenous people of America have waged a resistance campaign to defend their dignity and identity.

Read the full article about the land of indigenous people at UN News