UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, schedules official US Visit
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Professor James Anaya
United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Professor James Anaya will conduct his first official country visit to the United States of America from April 23rd – May 4th, 2012. The focus of his visit will be to review implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in this country. He will also follow-up on information submitted for his current thematic study on the impact of extractive industries on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Declaration was adopted by the UN General Assembly on September 13th 2007 as "the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of Indigenous Peoples". On December 16th, 2010, the United States, which had voted against its adoption along with Canada, Australia and New Zealand, became the last country to reverse its position and express support. The Declaration recognizes and affirms a range of rights for Indigenous Peoples. These include rights to traditional lands and natural resources, Treaties, sacred sites and cultural practices, redress and restitution, self-determination and free prior and informed consent. It also includes a number of provisions for States (countries) to implement and uphold these rights, in conjunction and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples.
During this country visit, Special Rapporteur Anaya will meet with various US officials and agencies to review their implementation of the Declaration's provisions in their policies and practices. He will also collect information from Indigenous Peoples, Nations,Tribes and organizations through several events and site visits. Dates have been provisionally set for only one, at the University of Arizona in Tucson Arizona April 26th – 27th. Plans for up to 4 additional events in the East Coast, Midwest and Northwest are still under development. There will also be an opportunity for on-line and mail-in submissions.
The "UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous People" was established by the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2001 in response to a resolution presented by a group of Indigenous Peoples' organizations, including the IITC. The Special Rapporteur's mandate is to promote good practices for the implementation of international standards for the rights of Indigenous Peoples; report on the overall human rights situations of Indigenous Peoples in selected countries; address specific cases of alleged violations of the rights of Indigenous Peoples; and conduct thematic studies on topics of special importance for the promotion and protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The mandate was renewed and its name changed to the "UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" by the Human Rights Council in 2010.
Contact information, locations and dates for the regional events will be provided when that information is available. For additional information, please log on to the website of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples or by visiting the UN OHCHR website. You can also send an email to indigenous@ohchr.org. The IITC will also post and disseminate information as it becomesavailable.
October Indigenous Peoples Gathering on Alcatraz Island
Photo courtesy of Lonny Shavelson and Jan Sturmann, www.sfportals.com
The annual Indigenous Peoples Day sunrise gathering was held on October 10, 2011, on Alcatraz Island and had over 850 attendees braving the cold weather. This year's theme was "Commemorating 519 years of Indigenous Resistance and Honoring Struggles to Protect our Sacred Places". An Ohlone prayer song led by Wicahpiluta Candelaria greeted the rising sun.
Standing by the famous Alcatraz wall graffiti, "Welcome to Indian Land", Bill Means (IITC Board member, Oglala Lakota Nation) provided the welcome and shared thoughts about the arrival of Columbus and the following 519 years of Indigenous Peoples' survival and resistance, including the significance of the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz lead by Native America students. "Alcatraz represents the spark that relight the flame of Indigenous Peoples resistance….in the 60's came a tremendous movement that has now expanded to 375 million Indigenous Peoples from around the world". He also stated that these efforts cumulated in the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in September 2007, and that the struggle continues for its implementation by the United States and other countries.
Ron Lameman (IITC Board member, Beaver Lake Cree Nation) presented on the struggle of his community against the Tar Sands development in Treaty 6 Territory (Alberta, Canada). The proposed Keystone XL pipeline project would run from northeastern Alberta, Canada, to refineries in the United States on the Gulf Coast. This pipeline would carry tar sands, one of the world's dirtiest fuels. The project violates Treaty Rights, free prior and informed consent and threatens ecosystems, water sources and community. Approximately thirty percent of the project is in the ancestral lands of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation. The XL pipeline would also impact numerous Tribal Nations in the United States.
The gathering featured a special honoring for the Oholone and other defenders of Sogorea Te, the sacred site at Glen Cove, who recently won the battle to protect one of the last intact shellmound sites in the Bay Area. The 109-day spiritual occupation to halt proposed bulldozing of the site by the city of Vallejo was a show of strength and unity by the Bay Area Native American community on a scale not seen in decades. Special recognition was also given to the Yocha Dehe Wintun and Cortina Band of Wintun Nations for their successful negotiation of a cultural easement providing permanent legal protection and tribal jurisdiction over this sacred area, the first such agreement in the history of California.
During the event, a blessing and recognition of the PathStar Swimmers was held. Pathstar is a youth organization "committed to inspiring and revitalizing sustainable health and well-being practices within Native American communities". All Nations singers and the Red Voice Drum, Aztec and Pomo dancers and for the first time, the Oceania Coalition of Northern California (OCNC) offered prayer, chants, drumming and dance.
The Annual Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Sunrise Gathering will be held Thursday, November 24, 2011, at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. Click here for more information.
VIDEO coverage of the Indigenous Peoples Day by Monique Sonoquie.
PHOTOS of the Indigenous Peoples Day event courtesy of Lonny Shavelson and Jan Sturmann of www.sfportals.com
Oaxaca Action Plan of Indigenous Peoples: From Cancun to Durban and Beyond
Delegates to the Second Technical Workshop of Indigenous Peoples and States in the UNFCCC. L to R: IITC Board and UNPFII member Saul Vicente Vasquez; Ambassador Luis De Alba, Government of Mexico Permanent Representative to the UN, President of UNFCCC COP 16 in Cancun and former President of the UN Human Rights Council; Berenice Sanchez, representative of IITC Affiliate RITA, and IITC Executive Director Andrea Carmen. Photo: Chief Bill Erasmus (Dene Nation, Canada).
In early October, representatives from Indigenous communities from around the world gathered in Oaxaca, Mexico for the Second Technical Workshop of Indigenous Peoples and States in the UNFCCC in preparation for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This gathering will be held November 28-December 9 in Durban, South Africa.
The purpose of this meeting was to "gather, exchange views, assess progress, and develop strategies for a common work from Cancun to Durban and beyond." International Indian Treaty Council Executive Director Andrea Carmen was the coordinator of the North America Indigenous Peoples delegation which also included Chief Bill Erasmus from the Dene Nation and Assembly First Nations and Tom Goldtooth, Indigenous Environmental Network. IITC Board member Saul Vicente Vasquez, Zapoteca from Oaxaca and member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, was one of the workshop's co-hosts. Several IITC affiliates from Latin America also were among the participants.
A plan of action was developed by the attendees and includes strategies for the work of Indigenous Peoples in Durban. You can download the document below in English and Spanish.
THE OAXACA ACTION PLAN OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: FROM CANCUN TO DURBAN AND BEYOND
PLAN DE ACCIÓN DE OAXACA DE LOS PUEBLOS INDÍGENAS: DE CANCÚN A DURBAN Y MÁS ALLÁ
Treaty 1-11 Nations Gather in Treaty No. 7 Territory (Calgary, Canada)
"A Treaty is a covenant, it is apromise". --- A.J. Felix, Protocol Keeper for Treaties 1-11.
The National Treaties 1-11 Gatheringwas held September 21-2, 2011, in Treaty No. 7 Territory (Alberta, Calgary)hosted by the Tsuu T'ina Nation. The theme for this event was "Affirming Our Inherent & Treaty Right". Over the course of the gathering, presentations included an update on the United Nations Treaty Study, Indian status border cards and implementation of the Treaty rights provisions in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. IITC Board member Ron Lameman, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, was one of the three co-moderators.
Chiefs representing Treaty 1 -11 territories adopted a number of important resolutions including including a Resolution on Tar Sands and the XL Pipeline and a Resolution on Inherent and Treaty Right to Food. Please follow links below to download these documents.
Resolution on Tar Sands and XL Pipeline, Treaties No. 1 – 10 Gathering, September 21-23, 2011, Treaty No. 7 Traditional Territories.
Resolution on Inherent and Treaty Right to Food, Treaties No. 1 – 10 Gathering, September 21-23, 2011, Treaty No. 7 Traditional Territories.
UN Human Rights Council holds its 18th Regular Session in Geneva - Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and EMRIP Present reports, and CHR adopts resolutions on human rights and Indigenous Peoples and a new "Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence"
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) held its 18th Regular Session in Geneva, September 12-30, 2011. The HRC is an inter-governmental body made up of 47 States and is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. The HRC replaced the Human Rights Commission in 2007. The HRC reports directly to the UN General Assembly.
During the HRC regular sessions, which usually last 3-4 weeks, special sessions are held to discuss particular human rights concerns. During the 18th Session, the agenda included an Indigenous "cluster" which received reports from the Expert Mechanism on Indigenous Rights (EMRIP) and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as one agenda item. This was followed by an interactive dialogue where the EMRIP and Special Rapporteur received comments and questions from Member States of the Council, observer states, interested UN bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) on their reports and presentations. The agenda also included for the first time a panel on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, which focused on "the role of languages and culture in the protection of well-being and identity of indigenous peoples". Indigenous Peoples have requested that a panel on Indigenous Peoples' rights be included in the annual agenda
of the HRC.
Following are links to the EMPRIP, Special Rapporteur and IITC reports and statements, and the texts of the HRC resolutions on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and on the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.
Resolution on Human rights and indigenous peoples, 18th Session of the UN HRC
Resolution on the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, 18th Session of the UN HRC
Statement of Special Rapporteur to the UN Human Rights Council, 2011
VIDEO: Final Remarks Mr. Littlechild, Member of the Expert Mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples, Remarks, Clustered ID on Indigenous Peoples, 19th Plenary Meeting
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the rights of indigenous people
Informe del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas
Report of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on its fourth session (Geneva, 11-15 July 2011)
Informe del Mecanismo de expertos sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígenas sobre su cuarto período de sesiones (Ginebra, 11 a 15 de julio de 2011)
Final report of the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making. Report of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Informe definitivo del Estudio sobre los pueblos indígenas y el derecho a participar en la adopción de decisiones Informe del Mecanismo de expertos sobre los derechos de los pueblos indígena
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya. Extractive industries operating within or near indigenous territories
Informe del Relator Especial sobre la situación de los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales de los indígenas, James Anaya. Industrias extractivas que realizan operaciones dentro de territories indígenas o en proximidad de ello
VIDEO: Treaty Council Statement, read by Alberto Saldamando
For more information, log on to the web page of the UN Human Rights Council:http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/
Indigenous Peoples Rio+ 20 Preparatory Meeting held in Amazonia, Brazil
Workshop participants. Photo courtesy of Mariana Lopez.
The "Indigenous Peoples in Route to the Rio +20 Conference" global preparatory meeting was held August 22-24, 2011, in Manaus, Amazonia, Brazil. The gathering included representatives of Indigenous Peoples' communities, organizations and networks from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, North America and the Arctic. The purpose was to discuss strategy on engaging and contributing effectively in the preparatory processes and the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, known as "Rio + 20", and to offer proposals and recommendations based on the experiences and perspectives of our Peoples.
As stated in the conference documents, "the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007 and now supported by all UN member States, provides a framework for the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in all stages of the Rio + 20 process, as well as the implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in relation to the themes and final outcomes." It was also recommended that "a global Steering Committee be set up, composed by focal points from each of the seven regions, to coordinate our work in preparation for Rio + 20".
The conference produced additional conclusions and recommendations to the States, UN System, Indigenous Peoples, and international public opinion in preparation for full, active and effective participation in all phases and activities of the Rio+20 conference to be held in Rio de Janeiro June 20-22, 2012.
These documents are available online by clicking HERE.
Input and Contributions from IITC et al (Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and organizations from North America, Latin America, Caribbean, Pacific, and Arctic) for the Rio + 20 "zero draft of the outcome document", submitted October 31st 2011
La reunión preparatoria mundial de "Pueblos Indígenas Camino Hacia La Conferencia Rio + 20" se celebró del 22 a 24 de agosto en Manaus, Amazonia, Brasil, con la asistencia de representantes de comunidades, organizaciones y redes de América Latina y el Caribe, Asia, África, América del Norte y el Ártico, para discutir y consensuar sobre cómo incidir y contribuir efectivamente en los procesos preparatorios y la propia Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre Desarrollo Sostenible , Río +20 y ofrecer propuestas y recomendaciones basadas en las experiencias y perspectivas de nuestros Pueblos.
En los documentos de la conferencia, se afirmó que "La Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, adoptada por la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas en el año 2007 y que actualmente cuenta con el apoyo de todos los Estados Miembros de las Naciones Unidas, constituye un marco para la participación plena y efectiva de los Pueblos Indígenas en todos los procesos y actividades de la Conferencia Río +20, así como la implementación de los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas en torno a sus temas y resultados finales." Asimismo, se recomendó que "se establezca un Comité Ejecutivo mundial, integrado por los puntos focales de cada una de las siete regiones, que coordinaría nuestro trabajo preparativo para la Conferencia Río +20.
Los resultados de la conferencia incluyeron conclusiones y recomendaciones a los Estados, al Sistema de las Naciones Unidas, a los Pueblos Indígenas y la opinión pública internacional sobre cómo prepararnos para la plena, activa y efectiva participación en todas las fases y actividades de la Conferencia Río +20 que se celebrará en Río de Janeiro del 20 al 22 de junio del 2012.
Para consultar estos documentos en línea, haga clic AQUÍ.
In this issue:
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, schedules official US Visit
October Indigenous Peoples Gathering on Alcatraz Island
Oaxaca Action Plan of Indigenous Peoples: From Cancun to Durban and Beyond
Treaty 1-11 Nations Gather in Treaty No. 7 Territory (Calgary, Canada)
UN Human Rights Council holds its 18th Regular Session in Geneva - Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and EMRIP Present reports, and CHR adopts resolutions on human rights and Indigenous Peoples and a new "Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence"
Indigenous Peoples Rio+ 20 Preparatory Meeting held in Amazonia, Brazil
Events & Resources
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Events & Resources
11/24/11: Annual Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Sunrise Gathering on Alcatraz Island. Click here for more info.
12/02/11: Reception & Presentation by Francisco Cali Tzay (Mayan Kaqchikel), Vice-President of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrmination (CERD) & Chair of the CERD's Urgent Action & Early Warning Procedure. Friday, 12/02/11, 6-9 pm, The Church Center for the United Nations, 777 UN Plaza, New York City (1st Ave & 44th Street). For more information and to RSVP contact: Roberto Borrero, (917) 334-5658, indigenous.committee@gmail.com,mukaro@uctp.org.
12/05/11: Human Rights Training Workshop: Using the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) to defend Indigenous Peoples' Inherent and Treaty Rights and hold the Canadian Government accountable. 12/05/11, 9 am – 5 pm, Ottawa, Canada. Click here for more info.
RESOURCE: Documentary produced on 2009 Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing official US mission. Pine Ridge visit included. Click here for more info.
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IITC Information Office
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alberto@treatycouncil.org
IITC Administration Office
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Palmer, AK 99645
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andrea@treatycouncil.org
International Indian Treaty Council • 456 N. Alaska Street • Palmer, AK 99645
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