The Barisan Pemuda Adat Nusantara (BPAN – The Indigenous Youth of Archipelago) held its 5th National Working Meeting (RAKERNAS V) in the Ampang Delapan Indigenous Territory, home to the Talang Mamak Indigenous Community in Indragiri Hulu, Riau. The meeting carried the theme “Strong Indigenous Youth, Sovereign Indigenous Territories”, emphasizing the unity between Indigenous youth strength and the sovereignty of their ancestral lands.
According to Hero Aprila, BPAN’s Chairperson, the theme reflects the realities faced by Indigenous Peoples across the archipelago.
“BPAN exists to connect ancestral knowledge with the spirit of the youth. BPAN is built upon the aspirations of our villages — what we want in our communities must also be strengthened at the national level. The voices from our villages must be heard, both nationally and internationally. Millions of hectares of Indigenous territories have been taken away — here in Talang Mamak, much of the land has been converted into palm oil plantations,” he explained.
Hero also highlighted the vital role of forests for the Talang Mamak community, emphasizing that the forest holds irreplaceable wealth — far beyond material value.
“What happens in Talang Mamak is also happening in many other Indigenous territories across the archipelago. As young generations, we cannot be apathetic. We must care about our own villages, learn from our elders how to protect them, honor our ancestors, uphold our customs and culture, and take pride in our identity as Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Youth. This is the spirit we will continue to echo through RAKERNAS V,” he added.
Empowering Indigenous Youth and Strengthening Organizational Sovereignty
RAKERNAS V marked a milestone in strengthening Indigenous youth participation in organizational and policy decision-making at the national level. Through the adoption of new bylaws and strategic resolutions, BPAN affirmed its role as a legitimate Indigenous youth organization aligned with the principles of AMAN (Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago).
The meeting promoted democratic processes rooted in customary values, ensuring that all decisions reflected the collective aspirations of Indigenous youth across the archipelago. A key outcome, the Talang Mamak Resolution, articulated concrete demands for the protection of Indigenous territories and recognition of Indigenous governance — setting the direction for future advocacy with government institutions and allied networks.
By holding the event in the Talang Mamak territory, BPAN demonstrated deep solidarity with one of Indonesia’s most endangered Indigenous communities, whose lands are surrounded by palm oil plantations.
“The presence of BPAN in Talang Mamak is a strong statement of solidarity from Indigenous youth across the archipelago. It reflects our collective support for the community to gain recognition and protection of their rights. This movement stands as an example for Indigenous youth — nationally and globally — to uphold the principles of shared struggle and mutual responsibility,” said a BPAN representative.
Building Indigenous Youth Capacity and Leadership
RAKERNAS V also served as a platform for expanding Indigenous youth capacity to engage in governance and resource management discussions. Participants shared experiences in defending customary territories, organizing youth groups, and facilitating intergenerational dialogues with elders. These exchanges boosted confidence and strengthened youth leadership at local, regional, and national levels.
The event demonstrated Indigenous youth self-determination in action. BPAN independently planned, managed, and implemented the entire process — from mobilizing local support to ensuring inclusive participation from all seven regions of Indonesia. The adoption of the 2025–2026 Work Program and Bylaws represented a tangible exercise of organizational sovereignty, enabling BPAN to chart its own direction and assert its role within the broader Indigenous Peoples movement.
Through this meeting, BPAN enhanced its institutional framework and leadership systems. The ratified bylaws clarified organizational roles, accountability mechanisms, and membership structures. Leadership development and strategic planning sessions improved the capacity of regional and local leaders to manage collective decision-making and ensure the sustainability of BPAN as a national Indigenous youth movement.
Participants and Representation
The 5th National Working Meeting was attended by:
- 33 Organizing Area Chairs (Ketua Wilayah Pengorganisasian) representing 7 regions: Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Bali–Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua
- BPAN National Board Members (10 Indigenous Youth Council members – DePAN BPAN)
- BPAN National Chairperson and 5 National Secretariat staff (SekNas BPAN)
- 30 members of the Indragiri Hulu District BPAN Board
- 85 representatives from the Talang Mamak Indigenous Community
- 11 observers from BPAN chapters in Bengkulu, Tebo, Bungo Tanjung, and Sihaporas
A Collective Step Toward the Future
RAKERNAS V BPAN reaffirmed the strength, resilience, and leadership of Indigenous youth across Indonesia. It was not only a working meeting but also a collective declaration — that Indigenous youth will continue to protect their territories, sustain their cultures, and carry forward the wisdom of their ancestors toward a future of self-determination and sovereignty.
For more stories about BPAN, visit https://pemudaadat.org/rakernas-ke-v-bpan-resmi-dibuka/
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