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Indigenous peoples took center stage at the climate summit, but how can they and the forests be real winners, if nations still are reluctant to accept the fundamental rights for them?

"During Native American Heritage Month, we have a unique opportunity as Native teens to reflect on what the world expects from us and hopes for us." - Clear Sky Native Youth Leadership Council interns Kayla Harstad, Lailani Norman, Tim Shay, and Akichita Taken Alive

Indigenous organizations say increasing direct funding to Indigenous-led initiatives and transparency in the flow of funds can increase effectiveness of the pledges and build trust.

After two intense weeks in Glasgow, Scotland, Indigenous leaders attending the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference are finally returning home. Indigenous communities went to COP with a clear set of demands. But they leave with a few symbolically significant, yet vague commitments.

Although encouraged by unprecedented visibility of Indigenous peoples at COP26, Jennifer 'Jing' Corpuz, a Kankana-ey Igorot attorney from the Philippines and Managing Director of Policy at Nia Tero, warns that weak language on rights could put communities' ties to land and sea at risk, specifically as it relates to a new carbon market plan.

The Glasgow Climate Pact is a step forward, researchers say, but efforts to decarbonize are not enough to limit global temperature rises to two degrees Celsius.