On Indigenous People’s Day, we celebrate the publication of a new guide that will assist Indigenous Peoples all over the world to develop their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) priorities and secure their right to self-determination.
Cultural Survival and First Peoples Worldwide have published Securing Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Self-Determination: A Guide on Free, Prior and Informed Consent.
“This guide is written to support Indigenous Peoples who are defending their lands, territories, and resources. It is meant to provide clear guidance to Indigenous leaders and communities about how to exercise the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). It includes technical and strategic recommendations on how best to navigate global systems of power and finance so that Indigenous Peoples can respond successfully when confronted by those systems.”
The guide is organized to help Indigenous communities: 1) understand the right and principles of FPIC within the framework of nation-to-nation and corporate engagements; 2) prepare in advance of engagements related to their FPIC; 3) work through the negotiation process with external parties; and 4) consider steps after a decision is reached about FPIC, whether the project is approved or not.
This resource is so important because so many communities are not aware of their rights and are excluded from the decision-making tables when large investors come in to buy up land and resources.