News of Note 2/20/26: Forced Displacement of Yaaku, Soy Safeguard Rollback, Canada Mine Impacts on Alaska Natives
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Yaaku Indigenous Peoples in Kenya faced with violence, property theft and forced displacements, say Indigenous group (East Africa Indigenous Women-Led Assembly via Forest)
“The East Africa Indigenous Women-Led Assembly (EAIWA) released a statement condemning planned evictions in Mukogodo forest that would force the Yaaku Indigenous Peoples to vacate their lands ahead of a government-planned security operation. [...] From the 21 to 28 January, 2026, the EAIWA report that raids by 'bandits' have resulted in the death of 10 Yaaku community members and the theft of nearly 3000 livestock. When some of the community went to retrieve the stolen livestock on 29 January, one community youth was killed by the armed attackers.“
Upholding the Principles of the Amazon Soy Moratorium Is Essential for Biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, and Financial Stability (Friends of the Earth)
“The Indigenous Advisory Group (IAG) of the Banks and Biodiversity Initiative supports the joint call for financial institutions to uphold the zero-deforestation criteria of the Amazon Soy Moratorium (ASM). While the Moratorium agreement itself may have been rolled back on the basis of Brazilian political interests, financial institutions should recognize the value and importance of upholding its principles as a matter of risk management and adherence to global norms.”
Alaskan tribal commission raises concerns over Eskay Creek mine approval in northwest B.C. (APTN News)
“The Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission (SEITC), a consortium of over a dozen Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Nations, says it has major concerns over the Eskay Creek mine revitalization project. [...] The province [British Columbia] and Ottawa approved the project on Jan. 26 following the Tahltan Central Government (TCG) signing off on a mineral tax revenue-sharing agreement, clearing the way for its reopening. The project is the first to be approved in the province under Sec. 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), which requires Indigenous governments’ consent for joint decision-making processes.”
More News
José Albino Cañas Ramírez, a defender of Indigenous territories, aged 44 (Mongabay)
Two months after being arrested, this Indigenous climate leader remains imprisoned in Russia (Grist)
Peru: Ongoing criminalisation of Asháninka human rights defender Fabián Antúnez (Frontline Defenders)
Consent, Not Consultation: Alberta Treaty Chiefs Are Reclaiming the Pipeline Narrative (Alberta Native News)
Indigenous leaders sue Quebec to halt forestry permits on ancestral lands (International Cry)
Ontario fast-tracks major gold mine despite federal review and Indigenous concerns (National Observer)
Mauna Kea and the Illusion of Indigenous Consent in Hawai‘i (The McGill International Review)
‘A State of Panic’: Native Americans Left in the Dark Weeks After ICE Arrests (TIME)
Lawmakers endorse ‘principles’ on tribal consultation but punt on required meetings, documentation (South Dakota Searchlight)
In new agreement with state, Indigenous landowners soften resistance to Ambler Road (Northern Journal)
Cole leading bipartisan push to uncover state’s [Oklahoma as well national] Indian boarding schools history (Gaylord News)
This Presidents’ Day, Stand with Us for Indigenous Rights: 5 Ways to Act Now (Cultural Survival)
Image via Forest Peoples Programme.