The Indigenous Navigator in 2022

As had been reported in The Indigenous World 2022[i], new community and national surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022. 165 of these surveys were included in the public dataset, available through the Data Explorer[ii] and Index Explorer[iii]. These questionnaires are the result of the direct engagement of over 300 Indigenous communities in the data-gathering and analysis process, and cover an approximate population of 300,000 Indigenous persons.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a critical impact on Indigenous communities. 2022 saw a reprieve and lifting of some restrictions, but for Indigenous communities the situation remained a critical issue. Nationwide, preventative efforts to control the spread of the pandemic, including lockdowns, limitations on inter-regional and international travel, and Indigenous Peoples’ own efforts to contain and isolate themselves remained key in controlling the spread and impact of COVID-19.

Despite the challenges, the consortium partners, along with their national counterparts and Indigenous communities, achieved considerable progress in the implementation of the Indigenous Navigator, which has been instrumental in responding to the immediate and long-term needs of these communities in times of the health, economic and political crises. Updates from partners in Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Suriname on how they have been addressing the COVID-19 pandemic were covered in the Indigenous World 2022[iv].

In all, the Indigenous Navigator has reached 374 Indigenous communities through the small grants facility and enabled 150 Indigenous communities to develop and implement their self-determined proposals. As a result of the Indigenous Navigator’s implementation, 2,010 representatives from target groups have been trained in their rights, the SDGs, other relevant public policies and budgets, as well as monitoring and advocacy skills.