Cultural Survival 11 hrs · Some good news. "For the first time, Indonesia’s central government has recognized the rights of nine indigenous communities to the forests they call home, a milestone for a national indigenous peoples movement that is seeking to bring to a close an era of abuse and discrimination at the hands of the state." Jokowi grants first-ever indigenous land rights to 9 communities The Indonesian president moves to keep his promises to the nation’s indigenous groups. NEWS.MONGABAY.COM LikeShow more reactionsCommentShare

Indonesia is one of the most diverse countries in the world, with hundreds of distinct ethic groups and languages. The archipelago nation's constitution recognizes its indigenous peoples, but the government has ignored their rights for most of the country's 71-year existence. In a landmark 2013 ruling, Indonesia's Constitutional Court removed indigenous peoples’ customary forests from state control. This is the Jokowi administration's first act of follow up to the decision. The action by Jokowi comes at a time when Indonesia's main indigenous peoples organization is considering withdrawing its support for the president, the only candidate the organization has ever endorsed.