Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) proudly celebrates the recognition of Joan Carling, our esteemed leader, as a recipient of the 2024 Right Livelihood Award. This honor acknowledges her decades of unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

The Right Livelihood Award was founded to lift the voices of change-makers offering practical solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. For over 40 years, the Right Livelihood Foundation has presented the Right Livelihood Award to four individuals or organizations annually. By recognizing the actions of brave visionaries and building impactful connections around the world, the Award boosts urgent and long-term social change.

Joan Carling's leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in empowering Indigenous communities to defend their rights, protect their lands, and uphold their cultural identities in the face of persistent threats. Her recognition with the Right Livelihood Award amplifies the importance of this struggle and brings international attention to the critical challenges facing Indigenous Peoples.

This award is not only a personal achievement for Joan but also a recognition of the collective efforts of Indigenous Peoples to seek justice and respect for their inherent rights. It strengthens the resolve of IPRI and our global network to continue pushing for systemic changes that address the criminalization, violence, and marginalization that Indigenous communities endure.

In response to the award, Joan Carling stated: "This recognition is a tribute to the resilience and strength of Indigenous Peoples around the world. It is a call for greater solidarity and action to protect our rights, our lands, and our futures. I am deeply honored to receive this award, and I dedicate it to the many Indigenous defenders who have given their lives to this cause."

At IPRI, we believe this recognition will further bolster the visibility of our work and help us forge stronger partnerships to confront the threats facing Indigenous communities. We extend our gratitude to the Right Livelihood Foundation for this timely and powerful acknowledgment, and we remain committed to ensuring that Indigenous rights stand at the forefront of global human rights discussions. We also extend our warmest congratulations and solidarity to the other deserving laureates of the Right Livelihood 2024.