How To Make 2027 Work, What to Do Now, Why We Need To Go All-In.

State: "Enough is enough on Indigenous issues". We have 1 chance to turn a "high level panel" into something that actually moves the needle.

Yesterday was UNDRIP's 18th birthday. Most people won't do the strategic work I'm about to show you, but you are not most people.

After spending nine months a year in UN rooms for the past years, I've discovered a dangerous pattern that most Indigenous leaders are missing: Declining political appetite is systematically undermining our foundation while we're distracted by environmental victories.

Three months ago, a State delegate I've worked with for years said five words over coffee that flipped my entire 2027 strategy: "Enough is enough with Indigenous issues."

I didn't push back. Instead, I triangulated across States, contexts, and UN pillars. The pattern was crystal clear. Its's spreading faster than most of us realize.

In this Sunday substack, you'll discover why celebrating environmental wins while ignoring political fatigue is a catastrophic mistake, how our human rights foundation is cracking while we focus elsewhere, and the specific "magnet strategy" I'm deploying to turn declining appetite into accelerated progress before the 2027 anniversary window closes.

The Foundation That's Actually Cracking

Here's what's happening while you’re celebrating SB8j and other stuff.

The UN has pillars. Peace and security. Development. Environment. Human rights.

We've owned the human rights pillar since day one. That's our foundation. Where UNDRIP was born. Where political power comes from.

We're crushing it in environment too. UNFCCC love our knowledge. CBD needs our practices.

But here's the unforgiving reality. We're not developing other pillars. And our foundation is losing political support every single day.

My friends. When your foundation cracks, everything becomes vulnerable.

Think about it strategically. Environmental wins without political power to protect Indigenous territories? References to Indigenous Peoples on climate solutions while States override your FPIC on resource extraction?

You're being valued for expertise while losing control over your future.

So let's talk patterns. What are States asking you about constantly? Traditional knowledge. Environmental practices. Sustainability credibility.

What's trending in UN spaces? Indigenous knowledge everywhere. Nature-based solutions hot. Political struggles or sovereignty? Getting less airtime every year.

Track what States say behind closed doors. That delegate who told me "enough is enough." A signal of wanting expertise without power sharing.

Btw, not today, but soon a number of States will withdraw from the de-conflation issue.

Yup, declining appetite.

My Brussels Sprouts

I'm watching this foundation shift in real time. States getting tired. Other movements Kashmir, Polisario coming up to me saying "Your movement needs to adapt or die." Pointing at the Indigenous movement at the UN level.

Then childhood memory hits. Mom making me eat Brussels sprouts. I hated them. She knew they were good for me. Didn't negotiate. Just put them on my plate.

That’s when it hit me. Stop fighting declining appetite. Work with it strategically.

New question: "What would they need to look good on Indigenous rights?"

Answer was obvious. Results. Deliverables. Something concrete to point at.

So here's my opportunity framework. Is this moment urgent, important, or expensive for them? Strong signals you can build political wins.

Next question: Transformational or incremental? Incremental is nice recognition that doesn't change power dynamics. States can live with consultation forever.

Transformational shifts political structures. Costs them control. Focus on power, money, territory. If you help them look good while they keep all three, that's consultation theater.

The 2027 Chess Move

Political systems run on calendar accountability. Anniversary cycles create pressure.

2027 isn't just UNDRIP's 20th birthday. It's midpoint between 2014 World Conference and theoretical 2034 follow-up. UN leadership transitions. Fresh faces needing credibility wins.

So, when we talked about doing something in 2027 I positioned it as their golden opportunity. "Anniversary's coming. What has the UN got to show for Indigenous progress?"

My strategic insight: Lower appetite creates better leverage if you know how to use it.

When Indigenous rights were trending, States made big promises they could implement slowly. Now appetite's lower, and the honeymoon of 2014 is over, they're reluctant to engage. But when they do commit, they want it done fast and closed quickly.

Opportunity for fast progress because everyone wants to engage and close the loop fast.

The Push and Pull Strategy

Here's the thing about political movements. We've been pushing hard for decades. Enhanced participation. Repatriation of sacred objects. Territory rights. Push, push, push.

Sometimes you hit that ceiling though. You're pushing till you get up against a wall and nothing moves. That's when you need the pull effect.

Think magnets. We've been trying to push our agenda toward power holders. But what if we created something so compelling that it pulls them toward our objectives instead?

A high level anniversary event is pure pull. It's the UN telling itself and the world, "On this date, we showcase Indigenous rights progress." Suddenly they need deliverables to avoid embarrassment.

That's the magnet strategy. Create events that naturally draw political attention and accountability toward what you want accomplished.

What We Actually Secured

Full disclosure: I had discussions with core Indigenous leaders. Not figureheads in photos or the top dogs. The ones actually doing behind-the-scenes strategy work.

We developed this push for a high-level plenary. Full 100% magnet strength. First step was to go through the Human Rights Council in 2024 and then into the General Assembly.

Success. It got accepted by the General Assembly last year, but as a panel instead.

Most of you will see "high level panel" and think "meh”, well that is better than nothing.

That’s surface thinking. Right now we have 20% magnet. Panel generates attention, potentially triggers follow-up. Not as strong as planned.

We also have 1 more shot at pushing this to upgrade into the high level plenary we designed. That's 100% magnet strength.

But even 20% magnet works if you strategize properly.

High level event creates "commitment trap." Once announced publicly, backing down costs more than following through.

They committed to put Indigenous Peoples "front and center" during high-level week in September 2027. Accountability anchor. Now they need political deliverables. Rights implementation. Sovereignty recognition.

Not environmental consulting. Real structural change.

What Do We Want?

Remember 2014 World Conference? Dozens of commitments in outcome document. Many undelivered after 11 years. Enhanced participation, repatriation, the works.

Those aren't unfulfilled promises. They're political debt you can call in.

Instead of new asks, collect on existing commitments. Much stronger position. States already agreed. Just haven't followed through.

Strategy in this will have to be surgical. Focusing on flywheel potential. Some 2014 commitments are 11 years old and definitely need implementation.

My recommendation: Six from 2014 World Conference outcome. Six new from broad consultations amongst Indigenous Peoples. No more.

This flips the conversation. Instead of "Here's what we want," becomes "Here's what you already promised". On top of that “Here' are 6 things Indigenous Peoples want”.

Way stronger negotiating position.

Because, 2027 can future proof our movement. IF we play it right. It's flywheel effects can increase and compound our fighting position.

Victory means using this magnet event to provide innovative ideas for implementation of UNDRIP obligations, or real mechanisms that put us into the peacebuilding pillar of the UN. Think flywheel, not one-time win.

Most importantly, Indigenous Peoples driving the entire agenda instead of participating in someone else's program.

The Closing Window

Also, I’m also looking at the grand scheme of things, and we're in unique moment where old international order is under pressure but not yet replaced.

Its evolving from unipolar to multipolar. We need to leverage existing UN mechanisms while they still carry global influence. The UN still has legitimacy but it's being questioned. Everyone's looking for wins that demonstrate continued relevance.

Beyond 2027, there's a long gap before the next major milestone. The 30th anniversary of UNDRIP would be 2037. The 25th anniversary of the 2014 World Conference would be 2039.

The goal isn't just preserving what we have, but ensuring Indigenous rights keep evolving toward fuller implementation of self-determination.

But windows close. In five years, geopolitics might look completely different. UN might be sidelined by regional blocs.

I don't know about you, but I don’t want to wait 12-14 years for the next strategic opportunity to advance Indigenous rights systematically when the window is already half-way closed.

We need to use current leverage while it exists.

Before You Go

The biggest mistake I keep hearing: "If we want meaningful outcomes, we need the traditional process. Preparatory meetings, regional coordination, formal mandates."

That's old thinking. We can ensure meaningful participation through focused strategy, not extended process.

Here’s what I’m about to do, I'm assembling a working group of Indigenous leaders and allies ready to make 2027 strategically significant. Not ceremonial. Not symbolic. Strategically significant.

This isn't about representing every region or checking consultation boxes. This is about results. About people who understand how to work the system and are committed to making it work for ALL Indigenous Peoples.

Whatever modality we develop will have to guarantee full, effective, direct and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples. But we'll do it smart, not slow.

If you're ready to help turn 2027 into a strategic victory instead of a ceremonial moment, you know how to reach me. Let's make UNDRIP's 20th anniversary a kick-ass launching pad.

The appetite may be declining, but the opportunity is real. Time to get to work.

Hit me up if you want in on the working group.