Last Updated on April 7, 2025
From Nordis BAGUIO CITY (Apr. 18) – “Long live international solidarity!” hailed more than 70 delegates from 10 countries including the Philippines, as they gathered for the opening program of the founding conference of the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network (APIYN).
The delegates, mostly youth from Japan, India, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Russia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Thailand and the Philippines are here for a five-day conference held at the various universities and venues here. The conference aims to further unite and uphold the rights of indigenous youth.
The APIYN was organized in 2002 and started with 40 individuals from 30 organizations but now consists of more than 40 organizations from 10 countries all over the Asia Pacific.
The delegates were given a taste of the dances from the different provinces of the Cordillera. The dances of Abra, Benguet, Mt. Province, Apayao, Kalinga and Ifugao were the highlight of the day as it drew out the spirit of the indigenous cultures. Click here for photos of the opening ceremonies
Also presented was a cultural production by the Tanghalang Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio, Progressive Igorots for Social Action and the Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera groups. The production showcased the joy and freedom of the indigenous people that was stifled by militarization and globalization. Read the full article
See here for some background, or go to the APIYN website
Across the world right now, Indigenous peoples are facing a renewed assault on their lands, rights, and ways of life.
From extractive industries pushing deeper into ancestral territories, to governments rolling back hard-won protections,
the threat is global—and it is growing.
What makes this moment especially dangerous is how little attention it receives.
Stories like this are disappearing in real time. Mainstream media
barely covers it and the coverage is fragmented. The public is left without the context
needed to understand what is truly at stake.
That is exactly why IC Magazine exists..
For more than 20 years, IC has reported on Indigenous struggles worldwide — consistently, independently, and without compromise.
We don’t follow news cycles; we trace patterns. We don’t sensationalize; we provide context.
And when the world looks away, we stay focused.
But this work is increasingly difficult to sustain.
We refuse to lock our reporting behind a paywall. We don’t sell access through subscriptions.
And we don’t answer to advertisers. IC Magazine survives solely because readers like you choose to
support independent Indigenous journalism.
Please donate today if you can. Every contribution helps us to continue this crucial work.
Thank you,
John Ahni Schertow
Founder and Editor in Chief
