Critical Education for the Mountain Hobby Youth Community (KAMHG) for the Customary and Indigenous Territory Protection Movement in North Sulawesi

The Mountain Hobby Youth Community (KAMHG) was formed out of youth concerns about social conditions in North Sulawesi, particularly in Manado City. It began with a meeting of young people from various regions in early 2023, connected through social media platforms and united by a passion for mountain climbing and a love of nature. This community emerged as a response to the lack of involvement of some young people in various social issues, such as high poverty rates, unemployment, waste management issues in coastal areas, the seizure of living space by farmers and fishermen, and the destruction of Indigenous Peoples' territories and sites due to state policies.

In late 2023, KAMHG was officially declared and has since been actively involved in social movements and advocacy. KAMHG, together with the Indigenous Peoples' Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) North Sulawesi and other networks are involved in collaborative work with farmers in Kalasey Dua, Kelelondey Langowan, critical discussions, and actions to demand recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples. Going forward, KAMHG is also committed to expanding its advocacy work, including working with fishermen threatened by the reclamation project in Bitung Karangria Village, Tuminting, Manado, while continuing to strengthen the knowledge capacity and fight for the rights of its members.

To support this agenda, KAMHG initiated the People's Education program "Educamp" which is facilitated by PW AMAN North Sulawesi aims to build critical awareness among young people in urban areas regarding the importance of youth involvement in Indigenous Peoples' movements, social movements, farmers' struggles, and the struggles of marginalized groups, which will ultimately strengthen the movement in North Sulawesi. This includes capacity building in conducting participatory mapping in indigenous territories. As a result, there has been an increase in understanding among KAMHG members, as well as an impact on the 300 network members working with KAMHG regarding the position and role of young people in protecting Indigenous Peoples' rights, including protecting traditional sites such as waruga. Furthermore, community members also realized the need to expand the movement to protect indigenous territories, including ritual sites that they previously did not understand and only focused on mountain climbing and environmental cleanups, becoming more focused.