Overview of Indigenous rights and outer space for the IAU-CPS Policy Hub

As part of the mission of the International Astronomical Union Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Constellation Interference (IAU-CPS) Policy Hub to consider national and international regulations about the usage and sustainability in outer space, we also included discussion specific to the rights of Indigenous peoples with respect to outer space under the context of the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In this work, we review how some of the articles of UNDRIP require various actors in the use and exploitation of outer space including satellite companies, nation states, and professional/academic astronomy to consult and support Indigenous peoples/nations and respect Indigenous sovereignties. This work is concluded with recommendations for consulting and collaborating with Indigenous peoples and recommendations for moving from the traditional colonial exploitation of outer space and building an anti-colonial future in relationship with outer space.

💡 Research Summary

The paper, authored by Hilding Neilson—a self‑identified Mi’kmaq scholar—examines the intersection of Indigenous rights and outer‑space activities through the lens of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Framed as a contribution to the International Astronomical Union’s Centre for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky (IAU‑CPS) Policy Hub, the work argues that contemporary satellite constellations, launch facilities, and astronomical observatories continue a legacy of colonial exploitation that has historically disenfranchised Indigenous peoples worldwide.

The author systematically maps relevant UNDRIP articles onto three thematic domains that are pertinent to space policy: cultural rights, economic rights, and environmental/responsibility obligations. In the cultural domain, the paper highlights how Indigenous cosmologies—such as the Cree’s “Star People” identity and the Māori connection to Mauna Kea—embed the night sky within communal knowledge systems, rituals, and oral histories. Light pollution and the proliferation of bright satellite constellations are presented as forms of cultural genocide because they obscure traditional constellations, disrupt oral transmission of star‑based navigation, and force Indigenous communities to adapt their knowledge without consent. These impacts contravene UNDRIP Articles 31 (cultural heritage), 12.1 and 13.1 (spiritual and religious traditions).

In the economic domain, the analysis focuses on the construction of launch sites and related infrastructure on Indigenous lands without free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). The author notes that such projects generate noise, dust, and potential hazardous waste, thereby violating Articles 26 and 27 (land and resource rights) as well as Article 32 (requirement for FPIC). Moreover, the paper argues that Indigenous peoples should be recognized as legitimate participants in the emerging space economy, not merely as passive subjects of environmental externalities. This includes the right to share in revenues, to develop space‑related enterprises, and to influence policy decisions that affect their territories and cultural sky.

The environmental and responsibility section draws attention to space debris and the re‑entry of hazardous materials, which pose direct risks to Indigenous communities situated under orbital paths. UNDRIP Article 29 (environmental protection) and Article 32 (consultation and mitigation) are invoked to demonstrate the current regulatory gap. The author points out that the Outer Space Treaty and other international space law instruments do not explicitly incorporate UNDRIP standards, creating a normative vacuum that permits ongoing colonial practices.

To bridge this gap, the paper proposes a “Indigenous Space Rights Framework” that integrates UNDRIP into space governance. Key recommendations include:

1. Establishing multi‑stakeholder advisory committees for every space‑related project, with mandatory Indigenous representation as required by UNDRIP Articles 18 and 32.
2. Embedding UNDRIP‑based cultural, economic, and environmental impact assessments at the earliest stages of project design, ensuring FPIC is legally binding.
3. Creating dedicated funds, scholarships, and capacity‑building programs that enable Indigenous peoples to acquire technical expertise, invest in space ventures, and benefit economically from the space sector.
4. Instituting an international monitoring mechanism—co‑led by the UN, IAU, and Indigenous organizations—to audit compliance, publish transparent reports, and periodically review policy effectiveness.

The conclusion emphasizes that a decolonized approach to outer‑space policy is not merely ethical but essential for the long‑term sustainability of both the night sky and the broader space environment. By operationalizing UNDRIP within the regulatory architecture of satellite constellations, launch activities, and astronomical research, the IAU‑CPS can help ensure that space exploration proceeds in partnership with, rather than at the expense of, Indigenous peoples worldwide.