The day after World Environment Day 5 June 2024, the Knasaimos Indigenous Community received a special gift in the form of a Decree on Recognition of Traditional Territory from the South Sorong Regency Government.

The 97,441 hectare traditional territory stretches across two districts, namely Saifi District and Seremuk District. The handover ceremony for the SK on recognition of the Traditional Area took place at the Secretariat office of the South Sorong Indigenous Peoples Committee in Teminabuan, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province on Thursday, June 6 2024.

Representatives of the Knasaimos Indigenous Community attended the decree awarding procession wearing traditional clothing.

Chairman of the Knasaimos Indigenous Peoples Association Council, Fredrik Sagisolo, said that the recognition of traditional territories given by the Regent of South Sorong is very important to provide legal certainty for Indigenous Peoples.

Fredrik hopes that this legal certainty can strengthen their defense to protect forests and traditional territories from investment threats that are detrimental to Indigenous Peoples and the Land of Papua.

“This traditional land has always belonged to us, our birthright, inherited from our ancestors, and will be the future of our children and grandchildren,” said Fredrik after receiving the Decree on the recognition of Customary Areas.

The recognition of traditional territory received by the Knasaimos Indigenous Community is actually not the first good news. In 2016, the Knasaimos Indigenous Community first received a Decree on establishing village/village forests from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Three years later, this was followed by obtaining village/village forest management rights.

South Sorong Regency Regional Secretary Dance Nauw in his speech stated that this decree recognizing traditional territories is not just an administrative document, but a form of respect and recognition for the existence and important role of Indigenous Peoples in preserving the environment and local culture. He also called the recognition of traditional territories a historical milestone and proof of concern for constituents.

He added that this recognition is a form of commitment to protect the environment and ensure that the dignity and welfare of Indigenous Peoples go hand in hand. “We hope that this recognition can strengthen the spirit of mutual cooperation and togetherness in managing traditional territories for the sake of mutual prosperity,” said Dance Nauw.

Apart from the Knasaimos Indigenous People, the Regional Government of South Sorong Regency also gave a decree recognizing traditional territories to the Indigenous Peoples in Konda District.