As the world commemorates the 14th annual World Radio Day, Cultural Survival proudly marks the 10th anniversary of its Indigenous Rights Radio (IRR) programme, a vital platform dedicated to promoting and protecting Indigenous voices globally.

Established in 2015, IRR has been instrumental in harnessing the power of community radio to inform Indigenous communities about their rights. The program’s team of Indigenous producers has curated and disseminated stories from Indigenous Peoples worldwide, producing content in English, Spanish, and over 140 Indigenous languages. This extensive linguistic reach ensures that even the most remote communities have access to information pertinent to their cultural and social well-being.

The significance of radio as a medium for Indigenous communities cannot be overstated. In many regions, community radio stations serve as lifelines, delivering critical information on topics such as emergency disaster relief, voter registration, and public health campaigns. These stations operate despite challenges, including police raids, imprisonment, threats, and even violence against community journalists. Radio’s unparalleled ability to reach rural areas makes it an indispensable tool for preserving languages and promoting Indigenous cultures, traditions, and belief systems.

Rosy Sul González, the Indigenous Rights Radio Program Manager and a member of the Maya Kaqchikel community, emphasises the profound impact of community radio:

“Community radio led by Indigenous Peoples is part of the good living of our communities. Radio provides the opportunity to continue developing the capacities of men and women, to make spots, podcasts, and special programs in our own languages with topics that affect us, and also to share good practices in the care of the land and the territory, mainly, traditional medicine, food security, among others.”

Over the past decade, IRR has achieved remarkable milestones:

• Extensive reach. IRR’s educational radio programming reaches between 12 to 50 million listeners annually through a global network of over 1,200 radio stations across 55 countries.
• Vast content library. The Indigenous Rights Radio website hosts more than 3,794 podcasts and radio programs, available for free listening, downloading, and sharing.
• COVID-19 Response. In response to the pandemic, IRR produced and distributed over 610 public service announcements on COVID-19 in 140 Indigenous languages, ensuring communities received timely and culturally relevant information.

Cultural Survival’s commitment to Indigenous media extends beyond radio broadcasting. The organisation actively supports the establishment of self-determined communication platforms, as enshrined in Article 16 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In 2024, Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Community Media Fund supported 57 Indigenous communication projects, benefiting communities in 25 countries with grants totalling $480,000. These initiatives empower Indigenous communities to protect their lands, languages, and cultures through informed and autonomous media presence.

Aimee Roberson, executive director of Cultural Survival and a member of the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations, underscores the essential role of community radio:

“Community radio provides access to information in extremely rural areas and, for these communities, serves as a tool for local organising, cultural and language revitalisation, educational opportunities, information on lands and natural resources issues, women’s rights, and Indigenous rights. We are committed to uplifting Indigenous voices and information about Indigenous Peoples’ rights via Indigenous Rights Radio.”

As IRR celebrates this significant milestone, Cultural Survival invites the global community to engage with and support Indigenous voices. Listeners are encouraged to explore IRR’s diverse programs and podcasts, which highlight topics ranging from traditional knowledge and cultural practices to contemporary challenges faced by Indigenous communities. By amplifying these voices, IRR continues to foster a dynamic dialogue on the rights and resilience of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.