In Indonesia, 20 Indigenous subtribes seek common ground amid mining divisions
ARBOREK, Southwest Papua, Indonesia — For generations, Raja Ampat’s Indigenous communities have governed different forests, reefs and islands according to their customary systems. Those communities have distinct identities and territorial claims, which sometimes overlap or lead to disputes. Recently, nickel mining has created new divisions, with some communities seeing the industry as an economic…
In the remote island village of Arborek, located in the Southwestern Papua region of Indonesia, representatives from 20 Indigenous subtribes convened for three days, from August 20-23, 2026. Their purpose was to unite and find common ground amid ongoing divisions caused by nickel mining activities. The event, named Heyul Pelei Koranu Fyak, is a combination of two significant Indigenous groups in Raja Ampat – the Maya and Biak.
'Heyul Pelei' is a Maya term for grand gathering, while 'Koranu Fyak' is Biak for Indigenous people.
The Heyul Pelei Koranu Fyak gathering served as the culmination of a year-long effort by Indigenous communities in Raja Ampat to come together and articulate their collective concerns. The event was orchestrated by the Forum Gelar Senat Masyarakat Adat Raja Ampat, in partnership with the Indigenous-focused organization Institut USBA and Greenpeace Indonesia.
Each day started with introductions and storytelling sessions, allowing participants to share their experiences related to land, resources, and environmental protection. These accounts were predominantly focused on the challenges they faced due to the mining industry. After days of discussions, all subtribes agreed on a unanimous resolution – a principled stance opposing mining operations in Raja Ampat.
The village of Arborek opened its doors to these representatives, providing a platform for their voices to be heard. This gathering marked a significant step forward in their quest for a shared future in Raja Ampat, one that respects their traditional customs, territorial claims, and the delicate balance of nature that sustains their communities.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
