On methodology

Basic documentation can be a powerful form of protection.

Fala Lamo's first task in Halmahera was filling a basic data gap: the government knew the O'Hongana Manyawa existed but had no census, no map, and no count of how many groups were living in the forest. In less than two years, Jefferson and his colleagues mapped 14 group areas and consolidated contact with 17 groups, with estimates suggesting there may be as many as 30 across Central and East Halmahera. In April 2026, those 17 groups met together in the forest for the first time, a gathering organized not to impose an agenda but to hear directly what the groups wanted, what challenges they faced, and what they needed going forward.

Building local capacity and building the evidence base go hand in hand.

Jefferson's approach combines two priorities: strengthening communities and building evidence for advocacy. Raising concerns at the national and international level is not enough if communities on the ground are not organized and able to protect their rights. At the same time, maps, population data, and documented human rights violations provide the evidence needed to support advocacy efforts. Fala Lamo's approach reflects this connection, treating forests, rivers, and coastal areas as part of a single landscape. The focus is on helping communities strengthen their ability to manage and defend their territories, creating a foundation for broader protection efforts.

On barriers

The impacts of mining extend beyond land use.

Mining of gold, nickel, sand, and iron is one of the main pressures facing O'Hongana Manyawa territories. According to Jefferson, mining projects often move forward without meaningful consultation with affected communities, leading to disputes over land rights and increasing pressure on those who raise concerns. He also points to the ways investment and development can create divisions within communities, as groups respond differently to new economic opportunities and outside influence. Similar pressures affect the O'Hongana Manyawa in the forest. Their territories are often treated as state land despite their longstanding presence, while roads, dams, and other infrastructure projects can disrupt access to traditional food sources and land use patterns.

On the intersection of climate and PIACI rights

Climate goals and Indigenous rights are not always aligned in practice.

Growing demand for critical minerals has accelerated mining activity, bringing significant environmental and social impacts to Indigenous territories. He points to nickel mining for electric vehicle batteries as a major driver of land clearing, soil degradation, and pollution in areas such as Buli Bay, Weda Bay, and Kao Bay. For communities that depend on forests, rivers, and coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods, these impacts can be difficult to distinguish from other forms of resource extraction.

This perspective is not a rejection of environmental goals. Rather, it reflects concerns about how those goals are being pursued and who bears the costs. Jefferson notes that conversations with communities are often grounded in observed changes to seasons, food systems, water, and local ecosystems rather than in broader climate frameworks. In Halmahera, the relationship between climate priorities and Indigenous rights is shaped in large part by the impacts of mining associated with the energy transition.

On terminology

Global definitions provide a framework, but local realities vary widely.

Jefferson sees value in international PIACI definitions but cautions against treating them as a complete description of local realities. Among the O'Hongana Manyawa, experiences vary. Some groups have very limited contact with outsiders, while others have family members who move between forest and coastal communities. Even the term "isolated" can be misleading, reflecting an outside perspective more than how people understand their own lives and territories. “I'm afraid a generic perspective will lead people to assume the same thing in every situation,” Jefferson says. His approach is to start with local context and use international definitions as a guide rather than a fixed label.