Indigenous Journalists Fight to Preserve Minahasan Culture Amid Mining Threats
The Minahasa region in northern Sulawesi, Indonesia, is renowned for its rich culture, diverse languages, and deep spirituality. However, it faces severe threats from environmental destruction and cultural erasure, largely due to massive gold mining operations.
In response to these challenges, the Mapantik ne Kelung project was launched in 2024 with a grant from Cultural Survival. The project aimed to empower young Minahasan people to become Indigenous journalists and document their heritage. They turned to video, producing short documentaries that highlighted the impacts of mining, stories of resistance, and glimpses of Minahasan culture.
The project began with a group of young Minahasan men and women coming together to reclaim their ancestral stories and traditions through writing and media. This marked the beginning of 'Mapantik ne Kelung' (The Writing of the Shield). The project's first-ever printed magazine served as a powerful testament to their journey and a gift to Elders, youth, and community leaders.
The project's impact was significant. It strengthened community networks, empowered women, and equipped young people with tools to document their culture. It also provided a safe space for marginalized groups. In 2025, the project helped local leaders repair and clean waruga (stone sarcophagi), acting as spiritual healing and heritage conservation. On April 17, 2025, the project organized the Hari Kebangkitan Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (Indigenous Peoples Awakening Day), bringing together Elders, youths, and activists to celebrate their right to defend their heritage.
Despite the threats from mining companies like PT Mearas Soputan Mining and PT Tambang Tondano Nusajaya, which have caused destruction, disease, and displacement, the Minahasan people are fighting to preserve their culture and heritage. The Mapantik ne Kelung project, supported by the Native Nations Institute (NNI), is at the forefront of this resistance, empowering the next generation to tell their stories and defend their rights.
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