Historically, indigenous people in the Americas have faced extraordinary challenges, from social and cultural discrimination to physical attacks. The long legacy of struggle means these communities not only face social exclusion, but also high levels of poverty.

Host Mike Walter speaks to Elizabeth Rule, a Chickasaw Nation member and assistant professor of critical race, gender and culture studies at American University in Washington, D.C.

 

Human rights defenders in Colombia are increasingly under threat. These activists are protecting the rights of indigenous people, the environment and helping to implement Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement.

The United Nations says these threats are having a chilling effect on civil society and the work of human rights defenders.

Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli is  the leading Colombia human rights advocate at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

In Mexico, indigenous people have historically been discriminated against and even punished for speaking their languages in schools. About 60 percent of Mexico’s indigenous languages are in danger of vanishing. Full Frame explores the fight to preserve and protect these cultures.