News of Note 8/22/25: High Risk for Indigenous Peoples in Philippines, Oak Flat Transfer Halt, Adidas Cultural Appropriation Response
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Philippines is the most dangerous country in Asia for farmers, Indigenous peoples, and land activists, Malaysia-based PAN Asia Pacific says (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre)
“In 2024, PANAP reported monitoring six killings related to land conflicts and struggles in the Philippines, which resulted in nine victims. These findings are part of an upcoming report, ‘Land & Rights Watch,’ that the regional advocacy group will release later this month. [...] Aside from killings, PANAP also monitored 10 cases of land conflict-related arrests, detention, and legal persecution in the Philippines last year, with 41 victims, as well as nine cases of threats, harassment, and physical assault with 11 victims.”
Apache Stronghold Pushes Back on Trump's Weigh in on Oak Flat Transfer (Native News Online)
"[Dr. Wendsler Nosie Sr.,Apache Stronghold:] Our nation cannot survive if we sacrifice what is sacred in pursuit of temporary profits… This is a fight about our identity as a nation. Do we respect religious freedom? Will we safeguard our environment for our children and grandchildren? Or will we sacrifice it all for corporate greed?”
Adidas visits Indigenous Mexican town to apologize for sandal design (Reuters)
“The German sportswear company sent representatives from its Mexican unit to Villa Hidalgo Yalalag, a town in Oaxaca state, to deliver the comments in person after issuing a written apology last week. [...] Adidas would in future seek collaboration with Villa Hidalgo Yalalag to ensure respect for its cultural heritage. The community is home to fewer than 2,000 people. ‘Thank you very much for keeping your word,’ said Mayor Eric Fabian. ‘(Our cultural heritage) is something we safeguard very carefully. Yalalag lives from its crafts,’ he added.”
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Indigenous groups demand action from South American leaders at Amazon summit (Associated Press)
One in seven First Nations impacted as Canada battles raging wildfires (Canada's National Observer)
Indigenous human rights abuses? Trump administration cut them from annual report (Inside Climate News via ICT News)
Another gold rush could bring open pit mines to South Dakota’s Black Hills (Associated Press)
Indigenous Intellectual Property and the New Frontier of Investment in Latin America (AInvest)