Dialogue Between Nations

	Stuart Patterson Tuscarora Nation, Haudenosaunee But our essential message to the world is a basic call to consciousness. The destruction of the Native cultures and people is the same process which has destroyed and is destroying life on this planet. The technologies and social systems which have destroyed the animal and plant life are also destroying the Native people. And that process is Western Civilization. We know that there are many people in the world who can quickly grasp the intent of our message. But experience has taught us that there are few who are willing to seek out a method for moving toward any real change. But, if there is to be a future for all beings on this planet, we must begin to seek the avenues of change. The processes of colonialism and imperialism which have affected the Hau de no sau nee are but a microcosm of the processes affecting the world. The system of reservations employed against our people is a microcosm of the system of exploitation used against the whole world. Since the time of Marco Polo, the West has been refining a process that mystified the peoples of the Earth. [1]
	Armand McKenzie Innu Innu Council of Nitassinan "... speaking on behalf of Congress of Aboriginal People, said that it was unfortunate that the United Nations had not yet achieved a consensus to adopt a declaration on the fundamental human rights of indigenous peoples..."[2]
	Tonya Gonnella Frichner Snipe Clan, Onondaga Nation, Haudenosaunee, Iroquois Confederacy President and Founder, American Indian Law Alliance Q: Do you prefer to be called American Indian or Native American? A: I prefer to be called Onondaga. "...governments sidestep the issue that indigenous peoples are people who are subject to human rights just like everybody else in the world. When you are not a "people", then you are referred to as a group. It's a legal issue... pressure governments to move this Declaration along and not to change the very essence of it, which is our right to self-determination." [3]
	Kenneth Deer Mohawk Editor, The Eastern Door "...Basically what these countries are saying is "we stole this land from you and we want to keep it"." [4] "Indigenous representatives are deeply concerned that opening the text would allow governments like the United States, Australia and others to weaken the Declaration even more". [5]
	Noeli Pocaterra Uliana Wayuu Nation Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Chair of the National Commission on Indigenous Issues "... We demand to be heard and to be taken into account, that our rights be included in the constitutions of countries, therefore we call to the General Assembly of the United Nations to reflect on the present consideration, that this will not be left as mere expectations. We need, rather, to take action. These are the wishes and feelings of Indigenous Peoples ..." [6]
	D. Roy Laifungbam Centre for Organisation Research & Education (CORE) Manipur Loisanglen, India The Kimberley Declaration: Sacred Sites 1. We urge States, governments and civil society to work in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples to ensure that Indigenous Peoples' sacred, ceremonial and culturally significant sites and areas are preserved, respected and protected from destructive or exploitative development. We will ensure our peoples' access to our sacred, burial, archeological and historical sites, including the unqualified right to restrict access to those sites. [7]
	LES MALEZER Native Australian of the Gabi Gabi Community President of the "Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action" Representative at the United Nations of Australia's Aboriginal Communities. Despite the negative votes, the Declaration represents a significant achievement for both Indigenous peoples and nation-states. Les Malezer, Chair of the Global Indigenous Peoples' Caucus, recognized the unique nature of this human rights document: "The Declaration does not represent solely the viewpoint of the United Nations, nor does it represent solely the viewpoint of the Indigenous Peoples. It is a Declaration which combines our views and interests and which sets the framework for the future. It is a tool for peace and justice, based upon mutual recognition and mutual respect." 13 September 2007 Press Release International Forum on Globalization "Despite the extensive work over an extensive period, many states still do not know who the Indigenous peoples are, do not know that self-determination is not a right to secession, do not know that free, prior, and informed consent is not a right of veto over parliaments, and have constitutions, legal systems and laws, which they admit do not address the equality of human rights of Indigenous peoples." [8] "…I believe that we cannot negotiate beyond a certain level with governments. Governments do not want to discuss topics of self-determination with Indigenous Peoples and they are not ready to return to the Natives the right to their lands and to their resources. So, it's important to turn to an international audience where we can face these topics. International dialogue is important because it is objective and because it can give voice to the various opinions of different nations." [9]
	Andrea Carmen Yaqui Indian Nation Executive Director, International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) A historical reminder of importance for Indigenous peoples to continue the fight are the dreams that brought Indigenous peoples together at the International NGO Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, held September 20-23, 1977 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The result of the conference was the Declaration of Principles for the Defense of the Indigenous Nations and Peoples of the Western Hemisphere, one of the precursors of what eventually became the Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is still our political agenda today. [10]
	Lucy Mulenkei Maasai (Kenya) Indigenous Information Network (IIN) African Indigenous Women's Organization (AIWO) "Today the voice of Indigenous Women in the Sudan is loud in the search for peace. Women have seen too much human suffering and this has made them address their issues as equal partners from different political, cultural and religious backgrounds. They have been victims for a long time. The leaders of different groups have a knowledge of human rights and women's rights and they have gone a step ahead in creating this awareness in different Indigenous Women's groups at the community level. It should be noted that despite the success of such efforts in the Eastern African Region, there is still a lot of work to be done in most of the other countries of Southern Africa and West Africa where Indigenous Peoples live. Peace building in a region or country where different kinds of conflict occur is crucial and this has been a key focus for most of the Indigenous Women." [11]
	Darwin Hill Seneca Nation, Haudenosaunee Confederacy Indian Law Resource Centre "...the important and historic standard-setting process that started in the period following the first session of the Commission was still continuing, and it remained an unfinished task for the indigenous peoples of the world and for the United Nations, as they still did not have the legal instruments needed to protect their basic rights and freedoms. A strong declaration was urgently needed to protect the health and well-being of the world's indigenous peoples. Correcting the wrongs of the past and securing justice for indigenous peoples could be achieved if a strong declaration was achieved soon." [12]
	Ms. Mililani Trask, Former Member, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Pacific Basin Region "My comments and proposals are to the Chairwoman of the Commission on the Status of Women. It's sad that Indigenous women have been marginalized to date by the work of the Commission. But in reality, we are all victimized because what we have to deal with are the very few provisions that we were able to get into the final documents that issued out of Beijing. When it became apparent that Indigenous women were not going to be included in the Beijing document we worked collectively to issue the Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women." [13] "The Final Agreement of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the establishment of the WTO has created new instruments for the appropriation and privatization of our community intellectual rights through the introduction of the trade-related intellectual property rights (TRIPS). This facilitates and legitimizes the piracy of our biological, cultural and intellectual resources, and heritage by transnational corporations. Our Indigenous values and practice of sharing knowledge among ourselves, and mutual exchange will become things of the past because we are being forced to play by the rules of the market." [14]
	Ron Barnes Yupiaq
	Arthur Manuel Neskonlith Band, Secwepemc Nation
	Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues "I condemn in the strongest terms those who are responsible for the attempted assassination and killing of these esteemed colleagues who have dedicated their lives to the defense and promotion of indigenous Peoples' human rights. I call on your government to conduct a full investigation of these cases and bring the perpetrators to justice. The government is the body which should guarantee the basic right to life of its citizens and therefore it should exert all efforts to stop extrajudicial political killings. The fact that the government has not apprehended even just one of the perpetrators it appalling." [15] [16] [17]
	Clément Chartier Métis Métis Nation Cabinet President, Minister of Rights & Self-Government "It is important that we continue to work with Indigenous peoples and the many states who are willing to champion the Declaration" said MNC President Clément Chartier. "It is crucial that we meet the concerns expressed so that Indigenous peoples will be welcomed into the fold of humanity as equally deserving of justice, dignity and human rights." Canada had been a champion of the Declaration until the current minority government, in a stunning reversal of international human rights policy and diplomacy, voted with Russia against the Declaration in the Human Rights Council last June. [18]
	Marcial Arias Kuna

1 A Basic Call to Consciousness
The Hau de no sau nee Address to the Western World
Geneva, Switzerland, Autumn 1977
Akwesasne Notes, Mohawk Nation, Via Roseveltown, NY

2 Statements on Prevention of Discrimination - Sub-Commission Starts Debate on Prevention of Discrimination, Concludes Review of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Reports Presented on Social Forum, Working Group on Transnational Corporations, Small Arms and Discrimination Against Victims of Leprosy; 5 August 2005

3 LawInterview.com; Interview Archives; Interviewed July 14-15, 2003 via telephone from New York City.

4 Interview, Human Rights Tribune, Geneva; 28 June 2006; "Canada does an About-Face"; Pamela Taylor - InfoSud

5 International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) Eyes of the world are in the new UN Human Rights Council: Canada blind to its purpose, By: Kenneth Deer; June 2006

6 Presentation on the Inauguration of the International Year of Indigenous Peoples December 10, 1992

7 The Kimberley Declaration
International Indigenous Peoples Summit on Sustainable Development
Khoi-San Territory
Kimberley, South Africa, 20-23 August 2002
Published by the Tebtebba Foundation

The Kimberley Declaration makes a commitment to continue constructive participation.

Additional Resource:
DIALOGUE BETWEEN NATIONS: CASE STUDY
KANGLA PUNGMAYOL: LAIPHAM OF THE MEITEI - INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF MANIPUR -- Cultural Heritage and Sacred Sites: World Heritage from an Indigenous Perspective, Manhattan, New York City, 15 May 2002

8 Les Malezer, Oral Statement, Third Session of the Human Rights Council
December 7, 2006
Twelfth Plenary Meeting

View the archived web cast
Scroll down to Non-Governmental Organizations Foundation
for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action
[English] 2 minutes

Read the Unofficial Transcript
Issued on December 13, 2006: First Peoples Human Rights Coalition

9 Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action
AN INTERVIEW WITH LES MALEZER
by Rosalba Nattero
On the occasion of the Working Group
on Indigenous Peoples, held from the 18th - 22nd of July, 2005,
at the United Nations of Geneva.

10 INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL Statement
U.N. Observer & International Report
2006-12-02 | A slight setback for the World's Indigenous Peoples on long walk toward liberation

11 Indigenous Women's Rights in Africa (pdf)
Lucy Mulenkei
Indigenous Information Network (IIN)
African Indigenous Women's Organization (AIWO), Kenya
Paper submitted at
Indigenous Rights in the Commonwealth Project
Africa Regional Expert Meeting
Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC)
South Africa Cape Town, South Africa
16th - 18th October 2002

Additional Resource:
Dialogue Between Nations - Coverage from the UN Permanent Forum
Listen to a dialogue between Lucy Mulenkei, Maasai from Kenya, and Ida Nicolaisen, Independent Expert, Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum. They comment upon the issues of land, tradition and cultures, as well as their concerns confronting pastoralists within the confines of States who like people to be settled, as Ida reminds us. The problematic qualification of "who are Indigenous Peoples" also arises in this dialogue.

12 Commission Starts Debate on Specific Groups and Individuals after Concluding Discussion on Child Rights and Indigenous Issues 11 April 2005.
Secretary-General's Representative on Internally Displaced Persons Addresses Commission, Commission on Human Rights.

13 Dialogue Between Nations: Women Members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Statement, Ms. Mililani Trask

14 Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women
NGO Forum, UN Fourth World Conference on Women Huairou, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China

15 Letter of the United Nations Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) Chair to the Philippine President on the Political Killings of Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines, 03 August 2006

16 Tebtebba (Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education) is an indigenous peoples' organization born out of the need for heightened advocacy to have the rights of indigenous peoples recognized, respected and protected worldwide.

17 Dialogue Between Nations: DIALOGUE
Rodolfo Stavenhagen - UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous People, with guests: Mililani Trask - Former Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, representing the Pacific Region Basin and Victoria Tauli Corpuz - Chairperson, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Executive Director, Tebtebba Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education

18 Ottawa, ON (November 29, 2006)
Métis National Council Statement on the decision of the General Assembly Third Committee on delaying adoption of the United Nations Declaration

Under PRESS RELEASES on Métis Nation Web site, click on the word "more" after: NEW Métis National Council Statement on the decision of the General Assembly Third Committee on delaying adoption of the United Nations Declaration to open pop up window with the Press Release.