In Indonesia, 20 Indigenous subtribes seek common ground amid mining divisions

Representatives of 20 Indigenous subtribes gathered in Arborek village, Southwest Papua, from Aug. 20-23, 2026, to build common ground amid divisions that nickel mining has created across Raja Ampat's Indigenous communities. The gathering produced the Arborek Resolution, opposing extractive activity and asserting that the region's future should not be determined by mining companies' promises.

The event followed the 2025 #SaveRajaAmpat campaign, which drew public scrutiny after Indigenous women like Ludia Mentasan fought mining concessions overlapping their customary lands, leading the government to revoke permits for four companies in June 2025 for environmental violations. On Manyaifun Island, Indigenous youth leader Ronisel Mambrasar said he was confronted and beaten while campaigning against a mining project, allegedly by people connected to the company.

Organizers, including Institut USBA director Charles Imbir, said the gathering aimed to prevent outside mining interests from deepening conflict between and within Indigenous groups, describing tensions that have reached 'the grassroots level' even after permits were revoked.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.