Tristan Ahtone

2 weeks ago | grist.org | Sonam Lama Hyolmo |Tristan Ahtone

This story is published through the Indigenous News Alliance. In Native Hawaiians’ genealogical stories, says Solomon Kahoʻohalahala, the coral polyp is considered the oldest ancestor, and they hold relationships with animals, including the Koholā, or humpback whale. “Koholā is the manifestation of our god of the sea and is revered for its ability to dive into the depths of the deep sea and the realm of the sacred place of our creation, far beyond our imaginations,” he said.

2 weeks ago | grist.org | Tristan Ahtone

This story is published through the Indigenous News Alliance. During the opening day of this year’s United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, or UNPFII, one speech took a striking turn. Indigenous leaders and representatives of nation states delivered 3-minute monologues about the plight and importance of Indigenous women around the globe. Most were followed by ripples of applause from the speakers’ peers, or sometimes thunderous ovation if the statement was particularly rousing.

2 months ago | grist.org | Taylar Stagner |Tristan Ahtone

Bribery, theft, conflicts of interest, and other forms of corruption are hampering global efforts to fight climate change and protect the environment. That’s according to a new study by Transparency International that reveals countries that experience high levels of corruption often bypass environmental laws to exploit natural resources, and rely on violence to silence resistance. That violence, one author explains, is often directed at Indigenous peoples.

2 months ago | grist.org | Taylar Stagner |Tristan Ahtone

There is a game children play called “King of the Mountain.” The rules vary, but generally, kids race to the top of a mound and push or wrestle until only one child stands and is declared the king. Displacing other children on the mound is the only way to win, and the game often rewards particularly vicious players — those who will bite, punch, and scratch to get to the top of the hill and win the title. It’s a game the Trump administration is also keen on playing.

Feb 4, 2025 | grist.org | Taylar Stagner |Tristan Ahtone

A new report from Amnesty International says “green colonialism” — the appropriation of land and resources for environmental purposes — threatens indigenous Sámi culture in Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Written with the input of the Saami Council, a voluntary nongovernmental organization, the report highlights human rights violations connected to Sámi lands being treated like sacrifice zones for global climate goals and green financial interests.