Cultural Survival’s community includes people from all walks of life, with beautiful stories to tell of your own about why you decided to become an advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Sharing these stories further connects our community, provides much-needed solidarity and validation to our staff and partners on the ground, and helps us inspire others to join our movement. We are excited to spotlight members of our community and highlight your contributions and perspectives through our Cultural Survival Member Spotlight series. 

Kelsey Armeni, Cultural Survival Bazaar Intern (2024) and Cultural Survival Member

I am a PhD student in Cultural Anthropology at the University of Colorado where my research focuses on violence against women’s bodies and territories in post genocide Guatemala. I learned about Cultural Survival in 2013 from my professor Ian Sanderson (Mohawk Nation, Turtle Clan) in a class called Indigenous Environmental Issues. 

Cultural Survival’s emphasis on self-determination is what attracts me to the work and motivated me to become a member of the community. I think it is important to support indigenous and female-led indigenous rights work, and Cultural Survival is at the forefront of this work worldwide.

I am an anthropologist and have worked in international development, in both spaces I have seen how top-down initiatives and a disconnect with the needs of a community have failed and caused harm to indigenous people. Supporting self-determination is essential to the realization of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

I feel really passionate about the Bazaars, as well as the Keepers of the Earth Fund. Both of these programs support self-determination through creating opportunities for communities to determine their own futures, share their practices, and support their livelihoods. The flexibility of the Keepers of the Earth Fund grants is unique and allows communities to do projects that connect to their needs without the restriction of grant requirements that often appear in international development and global health. 
 

Are you a former Cultural Survival intern or a passionate member of our community? We’d be honored to hear and share your story!