Friends of the Earth Flanders & Brussels is a grassroots organisation, originally named “Voor Moeder Aarde”. Friends of the Earth has been involved in promoting the rights of indigenous peoples since its formation in 1991.

The first action taken by the founders of the organisation was to participate in the ‘Walk Across America for Mother Earth’ in 1992.
The walk began in New York and ended at the Nevada Test Site, which has been a site for nuclear testing since the 1950’s.
The march was an expression of protest against the injustice of carrying out nuclear tests on Native American land, and raised awareness on the lack of world-wide human rights and protection for Indigenous peoples.

The major campaigns of Friends of the Earth Flanders & Brussels are Climate Change, Nuclear Disarmament, and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.
It is our belief that all issues are interconnected and have the ability to influence each other in a positive or negative way.
In the case of Nuclear Energy and Weaponry, it is impossible to look at the issue without also considering the impact it has on the environment and the ways in which it discriminates against indigenous peoples.
You can find more information on these topics on other partsof this website.
Friends of the Earth Flanders & Brussels seeks to promote peace, indigenous rights, and the environment, and believes that by improving the situation of one we in turn improve all.

Who are Indigenous Peoples?

Indigenous peoples are the descendants of the ancient communities which inhabited a region long before foreigners colonised their land.
These communities preserve their ancestor's traditions and ways of life through language, religion, lifestyle, clothing, livelihood, communal living, distinguishing themselves from the majority of society, and inhabiting their traditional land.

There are thousands of different Indigenous communities all over the world, and while they are all unique in their own way they are all closely connected to the earth in a relationship of respect.
Indigenous Peoples often find themselves victims of discrimination, and groups world-wide are engaged in struggles to preserve the rights to their lands and their way of life.

It is therefore necessary for the international community to raise awareness on current indigenous issues, and support the native communities in every way possible.