2012 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Survival International USA

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: International, International Development

Mission: Survival International is the global movement for tribal peoples’ rights. We’re the only organization that champions tribal peoples around the world. We help them defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures. Tribal peoples have developed ways of life that are largely self-sufficient and extraordinarily diverse. Many of the world’s staple crops and drugs used in Western medicine originate with them, and have saved millions of lives. Even so, tribal peoples are portrayed as backward and primitive simply because their communal ways are different. Industrialized societies subject them to genocidal violence, slavery and racism so they can steal their lands, resources and labor in the name of ‘progress’ and ‘civilization’. Our work is preventing the annihilation of tribal peoples. We work in partnership with them. We give them a platform to speak to the world. We investigate atrocities and present evidence to the United Nations and other international forums. We educate, research, campaign, lobby and protest. We won’t give up until we all have a world where tribal peoples are respected as contemporary societies and their human rights protected.

Community Stories

20 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

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Rating: 5

01/16/2024

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Noelia C. General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

10/19/2019

Great org with dedicated and passionate employees.

2

Jim_Whitlock Donor

Rating: 5

09/19/2018

This is the only charity that I've been able to find that shares my view that indigenous cultures need to be not only "left alone" but protected from the destructive forces that seek to exploit the place where they live. We are living through an enormous ongoing human tragedy - one that I have personally witnessed during a visit to the land of the Sami people- involving ongoing appropriation of ancestral lands that were pristine and teaming with life for eons and are now flooded for hydropower and clear-cuts for forest industries. We have so much to learn from the remaining people on the planet who have been able to live non-destructively. I don't think we're going to quite figure this out in time for the benefit of many of us.

Review from Guidestar

Yannis B. Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/11/2013

Survival International is a stellar movement! Through the resources on their website and helpful, direct interaction I have been able to write a worthwhile article, which was accepted and published online by Youth-Leader.com. Youth-Leader is another great organization dedicated to positive news.

My first article was about at-risk tribes in general. Survival's webpage is loaded with wonderful imagery and in depth organization. They have been protecting tribal people's for decades and the wealth of their experience is made quite accessible. For example, before I turned in my essay I made a direct connection to a wonderful staff person at Survival. The person reviewed my article and gave me sincere encouragement as well as some helpful tips.

Now I am creating a second article on the Awa tribe in the Brazilian Amazon and again the website and staff have been most helpful and encouraging.

The dire need for protection to the Awa and other tribal people's is being highlighted by the great work Survival International does.

Thank you to Survival International!

Sincerely,

Yannis Breit-Hofberg
yebh301@gmail.com

bmpetty General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

10/10/2013

Survival International works to to educate the public and employ campaigns that protect the lands and traditions of the most vulnerable peoples on our planet. Through educational outreach, dialogue, and global cooperation, Survival International has achieved "real" results and continues to fight for those who have little resources to fight for themselves. What intrigues me most about Survival International and their aims is the intersection between human and environmental rights. The land which tribal people inhabit is not just a resource to capitalized on. For them it is a home, in all senses of the word - a territory rich with tradition, religion, language, and ancestral knowledge that hangs in a fragile balance of the ever-industrializing world.

jowalski.k55 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

10/10/2013

Survival International is one of the few non-profits that understand indigenous people don't need to be "saved", they aren't in need of "development" or "modernizing" or any other term that is a euphemism for being colonized and exploited. Indigenous peoples need to be left alone and decide their own futures, and this organization fights to ensure that basic human right is upheld. The situation of indigenous peoples is very unique and usually unaddressed by other service work. Survival has the respect to treat indigenous peoples as equals, and gives them an international platform to tell their stories and share their opinions, not those of the governments oppressing them or the "experts" on them. Without Survival Internationals efforts to change the public opinion and stereotyping of tribal peoples, I believe many tribes would already have been massacred. When in university I held a fundraiser that was used to assist a project Survival International had to raise funds for court cases in Brazil, to protect Amazonian Indian land and Uncontacted Indians. I brought in Andean musicians to play a benefit show, and was proud to help out. This was when Survival had yet to establish an office in the US. Now that we're blessed to have an office in California, I hope to do even more work to support the efforts of this fine organization.

emettler Volunteer

Rating: 5

09/18/2013

SURVIVAL IS A GREAT ORGANIZATION THAT DOES WORK THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN MANY PEOPLE REALIZE. UNTIL I TOOK A CLASS STUDYING THE ISSUES SURROUNDING NATURAL RESOURCE EXTRACTION AND THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, I DID NOT KNOW THE EXTENT TO WHICH TRIBAL PEOPLES WERE LOSING THEIR LAND AND THEIR RIGHTS. I BECAME AWARE OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS THAT TRIBAL PEOPLES WORLDWIDE FACE, AND THE UNIQUE CULTURES AND TRADITIONS TAHT ARE LOST WHEN TRIBES ARE KICKED OF THEIR LAND OR LOSE THEIR LIVELIHOODS.
THE PEOPLE I'VE MET THROUGH SURVIVAL ARE DEDICATED TO THE CAUSE, AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS BUILT MUTUALLY RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITIES IT WORKS WITH. SURVIVAL IS COMMITTED TO ITS MISSION AND WORKS AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO ACHIEVE RESULTS IN THEIR CAMPAIGNS. I LIKE THAT SURVIVAL CAMPAIGNS FOR THE TRIBES THAT NEED THE MOST HELP AND SUPPORT AND FACE IMMEDIATE THREATS. I ALSO LOVE THAT THEY USE NEW AND CREATIVE WAYS TO CAMPAIGN THROUGH ONLINE MEDIA WORLDWIDE AND WITHIN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. SURVIVAL IS VERY OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AND WORKS TO HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS GET INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGNS THEY ARE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT.

ntuscher Volunteer

Rating: 5

09/18/2013

Survival is a wonderful organization that seeks to protect the lives and livelihoods of tribal people around the world. I love Survival because of their transparency and their commitment to their goals. As stated on survivalinternational.org, some of their campaigns take decades. Survival's sensitivity towards language and representation are far ahead of other organizations doing comparable work. Internally, it is a very cohesive organization where the employees truly believe in their work.

Paul Henderson Donor

Rating: 5

11/26/2012

After becoming a religious studies major in university, I started developing a strong interest in the traditions and cultures of native and ancient peoples the world over. And after years of research and study in cultural anthropology and the ways and spiritual beliefs of native and ancient peoples from around the globe I have become convinced that these peoples and their way of life are the only link we have to a truly balanced and harmonic state of being. One that brings us into a healthy equilibrium with the surrounding environment, within ourselves, and with the collective whole of humanity. Survival International is one of the few organizations around that takes it upon themselves to make sure we do not lose this ever more tenuous connection. They help, assist, and defend cultures and peoples, who in today's modern world have virtually no voice of their own. And they do so in a manner that is highly efficient, organized, and effective. I am incredibly thankful for everything that they do, and will without a doubt be a life time supporter of their efforts. They are doing a great service to not only the peoples, tribes, and communities they aim to directly support and sustain through their efforts but to the whole of humanity.

courtneyyusuf Volunteer

Rating: 5

11/19/2012

Working hard to protect those unable to protect themselves, Survival International is a fantastic organisation that endeavours to defend the dignity and the livelihoods of indigenous people around the world. Choosing to maintain their integrity by the refusal of donations from corporations and governments, Survival relies on the goodwill of the public and the hard work of its staff to ensure what may be the very survival of various tribes and communities. Working with Survival this summer in their San Francisco office was a great experience, giving me an insight into the realities of sharing Survival's message as well as managing the reactions of various journalists and networks across the US. It was also great to work in an environment where people truly cared for the cause and where you feel like your work really made a difference in some way. If you're looking for an opportunity to work with an organisation that makes a real difference, challenges you and really makes you feel welcome, then look no further.

Gwen Anderson General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/14/2012

The language, culture and identity of these indigenous groups is a precious resource that needs to be protected and preserved. Survival International does a great job of identifying these at-risk populations and showing through their excellent website how people can act to try to make a difference.

2

Tess Thackara Board Member

Rating: 5

11/14/2012

I worked for Survival International USA for three years and can say with certainty that you won't find a leaner non-profit out there. Despite operating on a small budget, Survival has an extraordinary impact on the lives of tribal peoples everywhere, bringing their struggles to worldwide attention and advocating for their human rights to remain on their ancestral lands and live as they choose to. Perhaps the greatest testament of all to Survival's positive work comes from a tribal leader himself: Davi Yanomami of Brazil's Yanomami people has said that without Survival, his people, quite simply, would no longer exist.

2

Elaine Anderson Donor

Rating: 5

11/14/2012

Appreciate Survival International USA's ability to contribute to the indigenous people of countries meaningful to me, that are a part of my heritage, like Sweden and Canada. Americans devastated their indigenous tribal culture. It's the least we can do to help those that still exist in these modern times. Sincerely, Elaine Anderson

EileenW General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/14/2012

Survival International is an important voice for the members of tribal communities who have become more and more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by outsiders. Survival International’s work to protect and preserve the identity, lands, and traditional ways of life of tribal peoples includes educating us of their rights as a people and to the resources found on their lands and territories on which they depend for their economic, spiritual, cultural, and physical well-being. After showing Survival International’s film on uncontacted tribes to my 6th grade class, I was so proud to discover that my students realized our duty to safeguard the integrity of the members of tribal peoples. My students asked me to thank everyone at Survival International for your outstanding work! Thank you!

HaleyPetersen General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/14/2012

Survival International plays such a major role in advocating for an issue that is largely unrepresented in mainstream discussions. The organization takes a highly ethical stance on who they will and will not accept funding from and in allowing access to all of their materials to any interested parties. The work that they do should not go unnoticed. We need more compassionate and committed individuals like the employees of Survival International.

Stephanie73 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/14/2012

Survival International is a bold and unique international tribal rights organization. Though they've been around for decades, their US office seems to be pretty new and I'm excited for the future of Survival International USA. I love their website and social media outreach. They do a fantastic job at engaging and promoting important issues around the world.

Chad R. General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/14/2012

Survival International USA is an important non-profit with a unique mission. The organization shines a light on the plight of indigenous populations and advocates for their rights. They are excellent advocates and activists. I wish there were more people and organizations committed to this cause.

Dawn120 General Member of the Public

Rating: 4

11/13/2012

Survival International USA website is loaded with great photos and information about indigenous tribes. So poignant. These tribes have little chance of preserving their lands and not being taken advantage of by corporations interested in the natural resources. I wish more countries would sign the International Law to protect the native lands. I'm glad to be informed and see that this non-profit has engaged in on the indigenous people's behalf. Dawn

MJK5290

MJK5290 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/13/2012

The tribal peoples of the world are among the most voiceless, and Survival is their conduit to the rest of the world. As an educator and a human rights activist, I am moved by their stories and stimulated to act to prevent their disappearance from our planet. It offers a wealth of information and resources. Survival helps to educate the rest of the world about these dignified and extraordinary peoples; indeed, we have much to learn from them. Survivor helps us do just that. Mary Jo Kwiatek

1

szarrella General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

11/13/2012

Survival sheds light on the problems facing tribal peoples in a way that no other organization does. They give a voice to an extremely under-represented group of people. It is overall an amazing organization!

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