April 6, 2026
7,400 registrants. 76 countries: Policy trainings for Indigenous Peoples continue to grow
By Nancy Kelsey (Anishinaabe)
Last year, a room with more than 40 Indigenous Peoples from around the world were gathered at a human rights training held during the 2025 U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York City.
Some shared about challenges navigating resources for Indigenous Peoples to seek redress for their national governments’ actions. Some discussed how corporations were infringing on their territories. Others gave accounts of how their cultural and spiritual practices were at risk.
This meaningful dialogue between Indigenous leaders resulted from years of virtual and in-person policy trainings and relationship-building efforts, as well as organizers’ behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure Indigenous representation.
The human rights training at UNPFII was just one of the 20 free sessions held in 2025 by Nia Tero, the U.N. Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples (UNVFIP), the International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) and the Centre for Documentation, Research and Information of Indigenous Peoples (Docip).
Participants at two-day human rights training during U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2025. Photo by Nancy Kelsey.
Organizers recognize that, for many Indigenous Peoples, U.N. bodies and processes may be new and intimidating in their complexities and navigability. Their goal is not only to improve Indigenous attendees’ understanding of these mechanisms but also to increase Indigenous Peoples’ participation in spaces such as the U.N. conference on climate change or the U.N. convention on eliminating discrimination against women.
“Once a government learns that there is an Indigenous person in the room where the human rights situation of that country is being reviewed, they change,” said Morse Caoagas Flores (Ibanag, Philippines), a UNVFIP representative and human rights officer. “They become more approachable. They become more truthful because if there is nobody – for example, a civil society representative or Indigenous person or Indigenous woman in the room – and you only have the expert and government representative, they can say whatever they want.”
He added, “That alone is a changemaker.”
2025 trainings draw engaged Indigenous participants and allies
More than 7,400 people registered for these virtual policy trainings in 2025. Each session had a different focus, ranging from preparation ahead of forums such as the U.N. climate conference, COP30, to the U.N. World Heritage Committee. The trainings are always presented in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Russian.
“Indigenous Peoples are the ones defending their own territories. They are the ones actually practicing Indigenous Peoples’ guardianship, which means that they are in their territories with their own traditional knowledge, their own ways to respect Mother Earth,” said Nia Tero Policy Manager Carmen Guerra (Kankuama, Colombia).
Here are some key facts about the 2025 Indigenous-centered trainings:
- Ten subjects covered across 20 sessions
- Young adults, 25-34, comprised the highest percentage of registrants
- On average, 76 countries were represented in most individual sessions
- Representation was highest from Latin America, with Spanish-speakers making up the largest number of registrants
- Trainings are reaching Indigenous Peoples in frontline territories such as the Amazon, Congo and Southeast Asia among other climate-vulnerable regions. This confirms that the strategy is reaching those most impacted and most essential for planetary stability.
- The trainings are effectively reaching global hotspots of biodiversity loss, extractivism, climate vulnerability, and human rights violations.
The numbers indicate a tide that continues to turn for increased Indigenous Peoples' representation in global policy spaces.
“We're talking about now being able to participate in the U.N. Permanent Forum on the shoulders of times when there were Indigenous leaders who had to camp in front of the U.N. office just asking to be present in the corridors where decisions have been made about their future,” Indigenous leader Pablo Mis (Maya, Belize) reminded. “Now, we’re seeing active participation of Indigenous speakers. As we do that, we should never lose sight of the fact that our credible participation must always hinge on the right to life.”
2026 trainings underway
Looking ahead, the 2026 curriculum covers an expansive list of trainings to further Indigenous and allied registrants’ knowledge of the U.N. processes available to them. Throughout the year, sessions are planned in four key areas:
- Indigenous Peoples’ issues
- Human rights
- Traditional knowledge and culture
- Climate change, biodiversity, desertification and other territory-related issues
Clockwise from top left: Carmen Guerra (Kankuama, Colombia), Morse Caoagas Flores (Ibanag, Philippines), María José Andrade Cerda (Kichwa, Ecuador), Pablo Mis (Maya, Belize)
Based on the feedback organizers have received, it appears that there is a mutual understanding of the task at hand: leveling the playing field for Indigenous leaders in these global spaces.
“It's very indispensable and important to have Indigenous voices from communities, from the territories that are being affected by anything, not just extractive industries, but all processes that violate our right to consent,” said trainings participant María José Andrade Cerda (Kichwa, Ecuador). The trainings are “also bringing solidarity within Indigenous Peoples, not just in the regional aspect, but globally, because we are facing the same struggles and the fact that we are fighting for our peoples.”
This year, organizers have implemented a regional approach with the Interamerican, African and European systems incorporated.
Interested in participating?
While all sessions are free, registration is required to participate. Follow Nia Tero’s social media on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook for announcements on upcoming sessions including topics, presenters and agendas.
Organizers recognize the challenges of scheduling sessions for a global audience, noting that it may not be feasible for all Indigenous Peoples across the seven socio-cultural regions of the world to attend at the same time. That's why all registrants are sent materials before all sessions and recordings following the presentations.
“These training sessions are open to everyone: every individual Indigenous person, every Indigenous organization, or every Indigenous advisor. Whoever wants to receive this knowledge is very welcome to participate,” Guerra said. “This knowledge shouldn't be something that is hidden or is in a couple of hands. The knowledge to defend rights is something that we need to protect for all Indigenous Peoples.”