Impact stories

Rooted in Tradition, Rising with Purpose: The Mentawai Cultural Arts & Education Centre
In the heart of the Mentawai Islands, off the west coast of Sumatra, a long-held dream is beginning to take physical shape. After more than 15 years of dedicated grassroots work, the Suku Mentawai team has reached a powerful milestone: the realisation of a permanent space for cultural arts, education and community connection.

A struggle to keep the Dayak flame alive in Borneo
For many generations, our people have practiced manugal – a traditional method of burning land to plant rice. Manugal is an integral part of Dayak culture and knowledge. Our people knew when it was appropriate to burn the land, ensuring the fire did not spread to other areas.

Celebrating Indigenous connections across the Asia-Pacific through the power of storytelling
One facet of IEF’s mission is to support Indigenous peoples across the Asia-Pacific to build robust networks between different Indigenous groups. KIIFF is one such intersect where our partner organisations, Ranu Welum and YPBM, are building connections and advancing collective efforts in advocating for Indigenous rights amongst their communities and beyond.

Milestone: Preserving Mentawai Culture through Mythology Book Publication
This book represents a significant milestone for YPBM and Mentawai in terms of our cultural preservation efforts, as it not only documents these stories told by our elders but also makes them more accessible to younger generations and the broader Indonesian community.

The enormity of Ranu Welum’s work protecting the future of Kalimantan
If you are yet to take note of the journey of our Kalimantan-based partner, Ranu Welum, please do so. The depth of work that this grassroot, female-led Dayak Foundation is carrying forward is quite remarkable. Ranu Welum gives us so much to be inspired by.
IEF supports the 2030 UN
Sustainable Development Goals
and Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples.
ACN: 168 130 096
ABN: 57 168 130 096