FIWNA Successfully Conducts 6th Virtual Interaction on Gurung Women’s Wool Weaving Skills and Cultural Significance

FIWNA Successfully Conducts 6th Virtual Interaction on Gurung Women’s Wool Weaving Skills and Cultural Significance

  1:41:00 PM    Indirasite.com

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The Federation of Indigenous Women of Nepal in America (FIWNA) successfully conducted its sixth virtual interaction session, focusing on the topic: “Tamuse (Gurung Women) Skills on Sheep Wool and Their Significance in Tamu Traditions.”

The session featured a compelling presentation by Anita Gurung, a prominent Indigenous activist, journalist, researcher, and leading voice among Indigenous women. Gurung highlighted the traditional wool-making practices of Gurung women—tracing the journey from sheep rearing to thread preparation and the crafting of final woolen products. She further emphasized the deep economic, cultural, and traditional significance of these practices within the Tamu (Gurung) community.

Gurung also expressed concern over the rapid decline of this heritage skill, citing globalization and climate change as key factors. The decreasing number of sheep, she noted, has directly impacted the production of traditional woolen items such as radi and pakhi, putting this valuable knowledge at risk of extinction.

The event drew participation from scholars, students, researchers, and activists from various Indigenous communities. Participants from the Limbu community voiced that wool weaving traditions are not unique to the Gurung people but are also a significant part of the Limbu heritage and other Indigenous cultures of Nepal.

Professor Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, FIWNA’s mentor and longtime advocate for Indigenous rights, offered his expert remarks. He encouraged further expansion of the research before publication and reminded participants of the crucial need to recognize, preserve, and promote Indigenous skills and rights.

The session was moderated by Indira Chongbang, President of FIWNA, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the presenter and all attendees. She reiterated FIWNA’s commitment to raising awareness, preserving Indigenous knowledge systems, and promoting dialogue on pressing Indigenous issues through these ongoing virtual sessions.

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The Strength of Taking It Easy

The Strength of Taking It Easy

  12:12:00 PM    Indirasite.com

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Taking things easy doesn't mean avoiding life's challenges—it means giving yourself the space to heal, reflect, and regain the hope and strength that sometimes get lost. It’s about reclaiming your confidence, rebuilding your inner resilience, and making conscious, determined steps forward. Taking it easy is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it's a powerful act of self-control—managing your own thoughts and emotions while creating a meaningful world within yourself. 

 There are times when we feel deeply hurt—shattered into pieces—when we are judged unfairly, blamed unjustly, or talked about behind our backs. As human beings, we naturally long for appreciation, love, and understanding, especially from those closest to us—our families, friends, and communities we walk through life with. We often assume that people will recognize our efforts and acknowledge our feelings. Yet life has a way of confronting us with disappointments and emotional setbacks we never saw coming. I am someone who feels deeply. 

I have kind of  thoughts, emotions, and an empathetic nature. Arguments—especially with family or close friends—drain me. I don’t find joy in proving others wrong or trying to appear superior. When conflicts arise, I choose calm. I choose silence. I walk away—not because I am weak, but because peace matters more than pride. Still, like anyone else, I’ve had moments of feeling broken. 

When people disrespect me, dismiss my worth, or betray my trust, it hurts. We all hope that the respect and loyalty we give will be returned. When that doesn’t happen, it shakes us. But through one such painful experience, I discovered something powerful: myself. I realized I didn’t have to internalize others’ judgments. I could take it easy—not as an escape, but as a strategy for resilience. 

Today, I feel like a bird soaring freely in the sky, guided by my own wings. I’ve learned to dream again with strength, and my thoughts have become more independent and grounded. I no longer let disrespect or misjudgment dictate my emotions. I don’t depend on others to define my happiness. I’ve come to understand that my worth is self-made—rooted in my values, integrity, and the courage to keep moving forward. I no longer care what others say behind my back or how they choose to judge me. I care about how I rise, how I respond, and how I continue to create goodness in my own way. I am the author of my own story, the builder of my own destiny, and the source of my own strength. Taking it easy hasn’t made me passive—it has made me powerful.

Created on 07/02/2025

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FIWNA Hosts 5th Virtual Interaction on Indigenous Peoples, Business, and Human Rights

FIWNA Hosts 5th Virtual Interaction on Indigenous Peoples, Business, and Human Rights

  6:59:00 AM    Indirasite.com

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 June 2025 – The Federation of Indigenous Women of Nepal in America (FIWNA) successfully hosted its fifth virtual interaction series, focusing on “Indigenous Peoples, Business, and Human Rights.” The event featured Durga Mani Yamphu, a prominent human rights advocate, as the keynote speaker.

 In his presentation, Yamphu provided a comprehensive overview of how globalization and multinational corporations have impacted Indigenous communities around the world. He discussed widespread violations of Indigenous rights—ranging from labor exploitation to environmental degradation and public health risks—caused by unchecked corporate activity.

Yamphu cited the case of Shell in the Niger Delta as an example of corporate abuse, referencing the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) led by environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. He also highlighted the efforts of the UN Human Rights Council, which appointed Professor John Ruggie in 2005 to develop global standards for business and human rights. This led to the formation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), structured around three pillars: Protect, Respect, and Remedy.

 He emphasized that every business must obtain Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Indigenous communities before operating on their lands, in accordance with ILO Convention 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Yamphu explained that:

 The Protect pillar requires states to safeguard Indigenous rights.

 The Respect pillar obligates businesses to uphold those rights.

 The Remedy pillar provides avenues for justice if violations occur and the state fails to act.

 During the interactive segment, several Indigenous leaders and advocates raised concerns:

 Kalpana Bhattachan (NIWF) questioned the construction of a cable car in Muktinath, a sacred Indigenous site, by a private company.

 Purna Bahadur Magar voiced concerns over the military’s presence in Indigenous regions under the pretext of cultural preservation.

 Shobha Sunuwar, General Secretary of NIWF, stressed the need for unity in defending Indigenous rights.

 Yassokanti Bhattachan, FIWNA Advisor, referenced a Supreme Court order mandating that all government mechanisms comply with ILO Convention 169 and UNDRIP. She also proposed developing a practical human rights checklist for community use.

 Professor  and  indigenous expert Krishna Bhattachan criticized the Nepali government for siding with corporate interests instead of protecting its Indigenous population and raised issues concerning the rights of Indigenous migrant workers abroad.

 In response to these inputs, Yamphu acknowledged the concerns and expressed his commitment to continued dialogue with communities, ensuring broader engagement in future sessions.

 Indira Chongbang the president of FIWNA had moderated the event and concluded the session by highlighting its significance, thanking the participants, and affirming FIWNA’s plan to continue these vital discussions every two weeks.

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