What’s the best way to support indigenous rights without solidarity tourism?

[Chloe57]

I’ve been trying to support a local group advocating for the rights of indigenous communities facing land seizures, but I keep seeing their social media posts about “solidarity tourism” where outsiders just visit for a day. It makes me wonder if my own involvement is actually helpful or if it’s just another form of passive awareness that doesn’t lead to real change.

[Richard92]

I showed up to a local gathering after a post about land rights. It felt good to stand with them for a moment, but afterward I worried I was just adding noise. I didn’t hear a clear ask or a plan I could actually support.

[RyanHP]

Solidarity tourism is tempting—the photos, the stories, the sense you did something. But outsiders on a one-day visit rarely change the core problems, and the money often doesn’t stay with the community.

[Mason.M]

We tried a different tack. I helped them set up a small fund for legal aid and translation work, and we tracked six months of community-led meetings to see if there was real activity.

[Luke_M]

Is the real problem that we’re not listening to what they actually want from us?