Geographic Information Systems for Indigenous forests and communities

Learn about América Anayelli Olguín’s journey bridging technology and ancestral knowledge

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América Anayelli Olguín, a young Indigenous woman from Zacatlán, Mexico, is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at UNIGIS Latin America. Her studies are supported by the FSC Indigenous Foundation’s Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program.

The degree focuses on tools for capturing and analyzing geospatial data to support territorial development, agriculture, and environmental conservation in Indigenous territories. As part of the MOCAF Network and the Regional Collective in Defense of Forests and Territory, this knowledge empowers América to strengthen sustainable forest use and community organization initiatives within her community.

“By using these applications, I am able to involve more young people in my community in the development and care of our forests and biodiversity,” she says.

Carrying out the legacy of her ancestors, she is developing land management plans and participatory assessments for forest communities in her region. Watch the video below for the impact these studies will have on her community and territory.

Read an interview with America here.

Join us in supporting the vital work of Indigenous leaders like América. Indigenous leaders have the solutions to protect their territories on which we all depend. By investing in capacity enhancement initiatives, we can promote and scale up these solutions. If you would like to get involved, reach out to us at fsc.if@fsc.org

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The Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program works to enable Indigenous Peoples globally to strengthen their capacities, so they can manage and develop their communities based on their priorities, traditional knowledge, natural resource management, and respect for their rights. It is supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

Rights, recognition, and economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples across Africa

At COP16 the FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)

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The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) is the largest Indigenous Peoples’ network in the world, made up of 135 Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in 21 African countries and headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa.

At the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16, the FSC Indigenous Foundation is pleased to announce that we are expanding our collaboration with IPACC. Together, we will work with and for Indigenous Peoples in Africa to promote rights, self-development, and landscapes across the continent.

Our collaboration will focus on:

Capacity sharing to advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Africa: including strategic planning, IPACC’s women’s strategy, and technical support.

Promoting recognition and participation of Indigenous Peoples: for rights and self-governance of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making related to land and resources management.

Diversifying economic activities rooted in Indigenous cosmovision and traditional knowledge: including resource mapping, partnerships, technical support, and small grants for Indigenous women-led enterprises.

The planned activities are part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

We believe that working together with Indigenous Peoples is crucial for both their communities and the well-being of our planet. Join us to create sustainable impact for Africa’s biodiversity and beyond.

For more information, please contact:

Salina Sanou

FSC-IF Regional Director for Africa and Asia and IPARD Deputy Director

s.sanou@fsc.org

Inclusive dialogue with Indigenous Peoples and the government in Kenya

We are excited to sign an agreement with the Ogiek Peoples Development Program at COP16 to expand our collaboration with and for the Ogiek Peoples and their forests.

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The Ogiek People have a deep, ancestral connection to the Mau Forest, viewing it as not just a physical space, but a vital part of their cultural identity and cosmovion. As guardians of this rich ecosystem, the Ogiek have practiced sustainable land management techniques for millenia that reflect their profound understanding of the forest’s biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge ensures the forest remains healthy and resilient.

In the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16, the FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Ogiek Peoples Development Program (OPDP) building on our existing project for Ogiek women’s socio-economic empowerment. We will expand our collaboration to support a dialogue between the Ogiek Peoples and government institutions regarding policies based on Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

Through this work, the Ogiek People will be able to sustainably manage and restore their forests while advocating for their rights and recognition of their traditional knowledge.

Read an article authored by OPDP Executive Director Daniel Kobei on how the Ogiek People are conserving medicinal forest plants for future generations.

Watch the video below to learn about the connection between the Ogiek People and biodiversity.

The planned activities are part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

Join us in supporting Indigenous Peoples’ rights and their invaluable connection to our forests. Together, we can support Indigenous Peoples to protect these vital landscapes for future generations.

For more information, please contact:

Salina Sanou

FSC-IF Regional Director for Africa and Asia and IPARD Deputy Director

s.sanou@fsc.org

Partnership with REPALEAC for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, economies, and forest ecosystems in Central Africa

At COP16, the FSC Indigenous Foundation and REPALEAC signed agreement to implement new activities with and for Indigenous Peoples in the Congo Basin

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October 23, Cali, Colombia — We are excited to announce our agreement with the Network of Indigenous and Local Communities for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC) to implement new initiatives with Indigenous Peoples in Central Africa. This partnership will focus on strengthening organizations, advancing Indigenous rights and economies, and promoting the sustainable management of their lands and territories.

Central Africa’s forest ecosystems are rich in biodiversity. We know that Indigenous Peoples are proven to be the best stewards of biodiversity — especially when their ancestral knowledge is recognized and their rights upheld. By enhancing the capacities of REPALEAC and its member organizations in communications, participatory land mapping, and in the implementation and monitoring of their strategic plan, they will be able to participate in decision-making processes regarding access to and sustainable management of natural resources at local, national, and international levels.

Key components of our work plan include:

Capacity sharing: Enhancing the capacities of REPALEAC and its members through participatory trainings and exchanges.

Participation: Promoting Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the design, implementation, and validation of climate policies and programs and decision-making concerning access to, and sustainable management of lands and forests.

Economic empowerment: Developing and diversifying sustainable economic activities of Indigenous Peoples, including women and youth, based on their lands, territories and natural resources, and rooted in their ancestral knowledge.

We believe that partnering with Indigenous Peoples is essential for their communities and the health of our planet, and our collaboration with REPALEAC ensures that Indigenous Peoples participate in crucial discussions and decisions on forests, biodiversity, and climate. Join us to make a lasting impact on the biodiversity of Central Africa and beyond.

Listen to Joseph Itongwa, Regional Coordinator for REPALEAC, on why data is important for Indigenous Peoples’ lands and rights. Our collaboration with REPALEAC includes collecting data on land tenure within Indigenous territories, cartography, participatory mapping, and the creation of databases to document the Indigenous Peoples’ lands in Central Africa.

The planned activities are part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

For more information, please contact:

Salina Sanou

FSC-IF Regional Director for Africa and Asia and IPARD Deputy Director

s.sanou@fsc.org

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