Dynamique des Groupes des Peuples Autochtones (DGPA) is a network of around 45 organisations, including indigenous forest peoples’ groups, working to secure the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as improve recognition of the role that they can play in protecting forests and associated biodiversity. There are thought to be between 600,000 and 2,000,000 indigenous peoples living in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Deep-seated misunderstandings exist about these peoples and how they live which often results in discrimination and even violence. Additionally, ‘development’ policies and projects can separate these peoples from their forest homes and lead to the loss of traditional environmental knowledge. DGPA supports forest peoples to have the freedom to live their lives based on their own way of life and customs, to have access to their traditional territories, and protect and validate their traditional knowledge. DGPA works at all levels to do this, from conflict resolution at the community level through to provincial and national level advocacy to enact and implement policies that protect indigenous peoples and recognise and enhance their role as guardians of the forest.