Movement: Survival International
“We won’t give up until tribal peoples are respected as contemporary societies, in control of their lives and lands, free to determine their own futures.”
Survival International is a registered charity, with offices across Berlin, London, Madrid, Milan, Paris and San Francisco. For the past 50 years they have worked in partnership with tribes to amplify their voices on the global stage and change the world in their favor. Perhaps most importantly, Survival International are founded on the principle of working closely in partnerships with tribes in order to amplify their voices and support them based upon how they believe they could be better served and perceived.
What do Survival International do?
Firstly, what do SI mean by ‘tribal peoples’. By their definition: a tribe is a distinct people, dependent on their land for their livelihood, largely self-sufficient, and not integrated into the national society. However, they recognise that all terminology used to describe the peoples most commonly called “tribal people” or “indigenous people” can be problematic and unsatisfactory.
There are an estimated one hundred and fifty million tribal individuals worldwide. But across our planet, tribal peoples are victims of human rights abuses, land theft, violence, and even genocide, often in the name of ‘development’. Corporations, governments, and even environmental movements have, for many years, pressurised and pushed tribal peoples off of their land in the name of progress. This can look like Factory Schools, where children are stripped of their indigenous identity and indoctrinated to conform to the dominant society. We also see governments selling land to corporations for mining and deforestation, stripping both land, livelihood, and autonomy from the tribal peoples living there.
Survival International’s work loosely follows four key pillars: Independence, Alliance, Investigations, and Advocacy.
Independence:
We reject money from governments and shady corporations so our integrity is never compromised.
Alliance:
Our work is rooted in our longstanding relationships with hundreds of indigenous communities around the world.
Investigations:
We investigate, expose and confront atrocities committed by governments and big business.
Advocacy:
We have 50 years of expertise in international lobbying and campaigning that gets results.
‘Alliance’ is one of the most important aspects of their work. Whilst Survival International are based in Europe and North America, they are holding governments and corporations accountable, whilst uplifting the voices and autonomy of tribal persons:
“We aren’t controlled by tribal peoples themselves because we are primarily a movement opposing crimes that stem from our own society.
We fight for tribal peoples’ survival. We stop loggers, miners, and oil companies from destroying tribal lands, lives and livelihoods across the globe. We lobby governments to recognise indigenous land rights. We document and expose the atrocities committed against tribal people and take direct action to stop them. We give tribal peoples a platform to speak to the world.”
What’s the Story?
Survival International were founded in 1969 by a group of people appalled by the ongoing genocide of tribal peoples in the Amazon. Initially, their work focussed on publishing information about tribal peoples’ problems, supporting projects in their communities, and lobbying for their rights in international forums like the UN.
They soon realised, however, that the only way to ensure the continued survival of tribal peoples was also to catalyse a groundswell of public opinion in their favour.
Over fifty years later, Survival International continue to work on campaigns dedicated to ensuring that tribal peoples are respected as contemporary societies, are in control of their lives and lands, and are free to determine their own futures.
What are Some of the Main Barriers Affecting Their Work?
Survival International break down some of their key opponents on their website, as follows:
Governments and companies wanting to dispossess tribal peoples to take their land or resources.
Military forces wanting to control tribal areas.
Extremist religious organizations wanting to coerce tribal people into conversion, irrespective of the harm done.
Extremist conservationist organizations wanting to evict tribal peoples from 'conservation zones', or end their way of life.
Many of those who wrongly believe that only western civilization has brought improvements in wellbeing.
Those on the extreme left who believe everyone should be the same; those on the extreme right who think there is a single 'correct' way to live.
This list shows how many different factors from all over the world threaten the future of tribal peoples and lead us to reflect on the ways each of our own societies potentially inflict harm on these communities.
Progress and Reasons for Hope
As well as concrete victories on the ground, their movement is helping to build a world where tribal peoples are respected as contemporary societies and their human rights protected.
When Survival was founded it was generally believed that there would be no more tribal peoples in Brazil by the 21st century. Today, tribal people number more than 150 million individuals worldwide and add hugely to the diversity of humankind. Their annihilation is no longer a foregone conclusion as more tribal peoples than ever before are seeing their land rights recognized.
Just a few of their successes include:
We helped the Yanomami people create the largest area of rainforest under indigenous control in the world.
We were partners in the “David and Goliath” victory of India’s Dongria Kondh tribe against mining giant Vedanta.
Alongside the Kalahari Bushmen, we won a landmark case to see them rightfully returned to their ancestral land.
How Can yYou Support Survival International and Their Work?
The first part is really simple: Survival International believe that public opinion is the most powerful force for change. Collective energy, enthusiasm, and advocacy for the rights of tribal peoples’ is one of the key things that will ensure their survival into the next century. By learning more, vocalising support, and starting conversations, we can all help Survival International to grow their movement.
“Grabbing headlines is key to our fight for tribal peoples' rights. By investigating and exposing atrocities and amplifying indigenous voices on the global stage, we hold power to account. Our investigations are frequently featured in the world's best-trusted newspapers.”
Secondly, Survival International say that setting up a monthly donation is a fundamental way you can support their work: ‘Regular donations allow us to plan our campaigns well in advance, confident in the knowledge of your regular support. We are able to spend less time on administration and fundraising, and more time researching, educating and protesting for the rights of tribal peoples around the world.
Survival is funded almost entirely by the general public. In order to preserve their integrity and independence, Survival International refuse all money from national governments.
If financial donation is not a possibility for you, another great way to support their work is to sign up to their monthly email updates, which include the latest campaign developments, articles, films and breaking news, together with requests for your action when it's most needed.
Watch our interview with Stephen Corry, founder of Survival International on our YouTube channel now, and visit their website for more information, campaigns and stories from tribal persons located across our shared planet.
How Does This Connect to Culture?
One of the main goals for SI is challenging and exposing the false narrative that tribal peoples are somehow less ‘progressed’ and that they must make way for modern society. This is an example of the power of narratives and how our culture, in particular our education, can create false hierarchies based upon assumptions and powerful influences.
These stories and ideas of progress weave into our governmental structures, corporations, and media influence.
This work connects to Indigeneity, Militarisation, Just Transition
How Does This Connect to Action?
Survival International depends upon movement building and building support on the ground in order to pressure higher power structures.
Find out more on Movement Building here.
Quick Facts:
Vision:
Our vision is a world where tribal peoples are respected as contemporary societies and their human rights protected.Work:
We work in partnership with tribal peoples to campaign, lobby and protest for their land rights. We investigate, expose and confront atrocities committed by governments and big business. We are here to amplify the tribal voice and make sure it is heard.Where?:
Based across 6 countries, SI are a global movement. Over the past 50 years we’ve worked with over 100 tribes around the world.
What can I do in 5 minutes:
