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Address to the first session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Angela King, Assistant Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women

13 May 2002 - New York - Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to join you on a truly historic day for the world's indigenous peoples and for the United Nations.

I would like to thank Mr. Sid Hill for that beautiful and very moving traditional welcome. Mr. Hill is the Tadodaho, or spiritual leader - a title believed to date back 1,000 years -- of the six nations that make up the Haudenosaunee People [of North America].

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is a milestone in the struggle of thousands of indigenous peoples to win recognition of their rights and identities. We should give credit first and foremost to indigenous peoples themselves for coming together behind the idea of a Forum. Next, the Economic and Social Council - and in particular those members that long argued for greater participation of indigenous peoples in the United Nations -- deserves congratulations for its visionary decision to establish the Forum. And last but not least, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her staff deserve praise for their hard work.

This moment has been a long time coming. In the 1920s, Native Americans approached the League of Nations, but were met with indifference. Early efforts within the UN system achieved similarly little result until the 1950s, when the International Labour Organization became one of the most staunch defenders of indigenous rights. For far too long, indigenous peoples were justified in saying that their voices were smothered by the darkness of intolerance and neglect. From now on, this Forum will be there to bring their concerns to light.

The world's 300- to 500 million indigenous people are very diverse. Some are hunter-gatherers; others are cosmopolitan city-dwellers. Some are tiny minorities; while others form the majority in their countries. Some live in the world's most developed and powerful countries, others in the remotest, most undeveloped places on earth. But a joint sense of their distinct cultures binds them all.

At the same time, with such extraordinary diversity there is necessarily great complexity. Not all indigenous people share the same priorities; some are concerned primarily with land, others with culture. Nor do all members of each indigenous people share the same point of view. Some may want to preserve, unchanged, their ways of life, while others want to participate fully in the material and cultural life of the societies around them. It would be a mistake to see the world's indigenous peoples as monolithic, or individual indigenous people as uniformly one way or the other. Such an approach only leads to caricature. Like the rest of humankind, like all cultures and civilizations, they are always changing, growing, and adapting themselves to new times and new realities.

One thing indigenous peoples do share is a terrible history of injustice. Indigenous people have been killed, tortured and enslaved. They have been deprived of their political rights, such as the right to vote. Their lands have been taken over by conquest and colonization, or decreed to be terra nullius and claimed for "national" development. Even today, their children too often grow up in poverty, and die from malnutrition and disease. In some countries, indigenous people are still not allowed to study their own languages in schools. Their sacred objects have been stolen and displayed, in violation of their beliefs. They face discrimination and exploitation. And all too often, governments have resisted the use of the word "peoples", with an "s". Instead they have preferred the singular, so as to avoid recognizing collective rights.

This Forum will certainly have its hands full. Questions of self-determination, self-rule, and autonomy raise fundamental issues of sovereignty and the prerogatives of the nation-state. Questions of intellectual property and cultural diversity touch the core of human dignity and identity. Questions of land and resource rights - which make up most of the human rights complaints indigenous peoples bring to the United Nations - are matters of life and death for many of them. Visions of development may clash. Good-faith efforts to ensure that indigenous peoples have full access to the benefits and opportunities of modernization could well collide with equally responsible efforts to preserve some indigenous life-styles.

As you tackle these challenges, I hope you will not only focus on grievances but will also make this Forum a showcase for the many contributions that indigenous peoples can make. The tradition of consensus found among many indigenous peoples can contribute to conflict resolution and good governance. Medicinal knowledge -- discovered, developed and passed from generation to generation by indigenous peoples -- is of enormous value. Likewise, the world has much to learn from indigenous peoples in managing complex ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, increasing crop productivity and conserving land.

Such fruitful interaction between indigenous peoples and the rest of the international community can only proceed, and succeed, if indigenous peoples are secure in their human rights. As yet, however, there are no universal standards on the rights of indigenous peoples as such. The Commission on Human Rights is now studying a draft declaration, and the drafting process has done much to raise awareness. The declaration would not be legally binding. But it would carry considerable moral force, and complement existing international human rights instruments, which do not by themselves cover the full range of indigenous peoples' concerns. I sincerely hope that consensus can be reached in time for the General Assembly to adopt the declaration before 2004, when the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples comes to an end.

Ladies and gentlemen, an indigenous leader once said, "Even though you are in your boat and I in my canoe, we share the same river of life." That is wisdom for the ages. Most of all, it is wisdom for our interdependent era and these troubled times. I wish you every success in your new home here at the United Nations. Thank you very much.

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues concludes historic first session
Secretary-General says world's indigenous peoples 'have a home' at UN

24 May 2002 - As it closed its historic inaugural session in two meetings filled with music and ceremony, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recommended this afternoon that the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) establish a secretariat for that Forum, attached to the Secretariat of the Council.

According to the text of its draft decision one, (document E/CN.19/2002/CRP.6), the secretariat would assist the members of the Permanent Forum to fulfil their mandate by implementing the approved programme of activities.  The activities would be funded from the regular budget.  That decision was one of four contained in the Forum's report to the ECOSOC.

At the first meeting today, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said to all the world's indigenous peoples:  “You have a home at the United Nations”.  Indigenous peoples, he said, had hopes, rights and aspirations that could and must be addressed by the Organization, as well as knowledge and skills that could help the international community in its goals of development and peace.

Indigenous peoples, he said, had already served as a valuable voice for traditional knowledge, collective rights and environmental custodianship.  With the convening of the Forum, their priorities would now take their rightful place on the Organization’s agenda.  It was entirely appropriate that indigenous peoples, including many victims of discrimination and the poorest of the poor, now had a platform.  He pledged his strong support to their cause and concerns.

Inclosing remarks this afternoon, Chairperson Ole Henrik Magga of Norway said that the first session of the Permanent Forum had been a success.  It was evident from the testimonies heard during the last two weeks that indigenous peoples remained among the most marginalized in the world.  They continued to suffer from the wrongdoings of the past, when their territories were colonized and their voices went unheard.

“We must never give up our fight for equality and justice”, he stated.  But, for the Forum to become a true vehicle for the advocacy of indigenous rights, it was essential to remain action-oriented and focus on the solutions, rather than on the problems and on a new kind of partnership between indigenous peoples and governments.  Finally, he pleaded for the establishment of a secretariat, along with adequate political and financial support.

“Please do not let the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues become another example of discrimination against indigenous peoples, as the only United Nations body not provided with regular funding,” he ended, before punctuating his remarks with a traditional Saami song.

The mandate of the Permanent Forum, composed of eight indigenous-nominated experts and eight experts nominated by Governments and elected by ECOSOC, is to advise and make recommendations to ECOSOC on economic and social development, culture, human rights, the environment, education and health.

In addition to advising the Council, the Forum has been asked to raise awareness, promote the integration and coordination of activities relating to indigenous issues within the United Nations system, and prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues.  It will meet once each year for 10 working days.  States, United Nations bodies and organs, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and organizations of indigenous peoples may participate as observers.

Over the course of its first two-week session, the Forum discussed such topics as the integration and mainstreaming of indigenous issues throughout the United Nations system, fundamental freedoms and human rights of indigenous peoples, and respect for and protection of indigenous intellectual property and traditional knowledge.

The Forum, attended by nearly 900 people, noted in particular the multiple discrimination faced by indigenous women and children, as well as the impact of violence, conflict and militarization on their situations.  In its final report it called ECOSOC’s attention to its priorities in the areas of human rights, education and culture, the environment, and children and youth.

According to the other draft decisions incorporated into the report (document E/CN.19/2002/CRP.7) the ECOSOC would, by decision two, authorize the provision of summary records for the public meetings of the Forum.

By decisions three and four it would decide to hold the second session of the Forum in the period April to May 2003 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, and to authorize an informal intersession meeting of Forum members prior to that meeting.

Also making closing remarks this afternoon were the representatives of Denmark and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as Ivan Simonovic (Croatia), President of ECOSOC, and the Chairpersons of the Indigenous Caucus and the Working Group on Indigenous Rights.

Indigenous-nominated experts of the Forum are:  Antonio Jacanamijoy, (Colombia), Ayitégau Kouevi (Togo), Willie Littlechild (Canada), Ole Henrik Magga (Norway), Zinaida Strogalschikova (Russian Federation), Parshuram Tamang (Nepal), Mililani Trask (United States) and Fortunato Turpo Choquehuanca (Peru).

Government-nominated experts are:  Yuri A. Boitchenko (Russian Federation), Njuma Ekundanayo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Yuji Iwasawa (Japan), Wayne Lord (Canada), Otilia Lux de Coti (Guatemala), Marcos Matias Alonso (Mexico) and Ida Nicolaisen (Denmark).  (A final expert is yet to be announced.)

Secretary-General's Statement

KOFI ANNAN, Secretary-General of the United Nations, terming the first session of the Forum "historic", proclaimed to the world’s indigenous peoples, “You have a home at the United Nations.”  Those peoples, he continued, had hopes, rights and aspirations that must be addressed by the Organization, as well as knowledge and skills that could help the international community in its long sought goals of development and peace.

Indigenous peoples, he said, had already brought up vital new issues regarding traditional knowledge, collective rights, environmental custodianship and other areas.  They had served as a valuable voice in gatherings dedicated to those issues, including the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro and the Conference against Racism in Durban.

With the convening of the Forum, he said, indigenous issues had taken a rightful place on the Organization’s agenda.  It was entirely appropriate that indigenous peoples, including many victims of discrimination and the poorest of the poor, now had a platform.

There would be many difficulties ahead, however, and he congratulated participants for an excellent start in navigating them.  All parties must be convinced to increase their attention to indigenous issues; and the Forum must determine its role in wider United Nations goals, to which indigenous peoples had so much to contribute.

There was a wide diversity of individuals and groups present, he said, but there were also strong communalities, including respect for the natural world, spirituality, elders and women.  One in 20 members of the human family were members of indigenous communities, and he had no doubt that, as new members of the United Nations family, they would make immense contributions.  He pledged his strong support to their cause and concerns.

Closing Statements

The Chairman of the Indigenous Caucus called on Member States, on behalf of indigenous peoples of the world, to embrace the Forum and become more involved.  The Forum needed their participation in this important phase in indigenous affairs. 

The representative of Denmark noted that the report of the Forum was concise and its recommendations were easily understood.  He hoped that the Economic and Social Council would act by consensus on the proposals and recommendations contained in the report.

The representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said that the Forum’s establishment had been the result of the tireless efforts of indigenous peoples themselves.  She looked forward to working in partnership with indigenous peoples, governments and civil society to take forward the recommendations resulting from the session.

ERICA IRENE DAES, Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Rights, stated that indigenous peoples could contribute to national, regional and international development.  They needed to be assisted in making that contribution.

The Secretary of the Forum read out a statement regarding the programme budget implications in connection with the recommendation to establish a secretariat for the Forum.  He said that the Secretary-General would study the recommendations on a secretariat for the Forum and would submit a formal statement on programme budget implications to the Economic and Social Council.

In his closing remarks, Chairperson OLE HENRIK MAGGA of Norway said that the first session of the Permanent Forum had been a success.  It was evident from the testimonies heard during the last two weeks that indigenous peoples remained among the most marginalized in the world.  They continued to suffer from the wrongdoings of the past, when their territories were colonized and their voices went unheard.  In many cases, the discrimination and mistreatment continued.  Indigenous peoples were among the poorest of the poor.  They were engaged in an ongoing battle for the continuous existence of their cultures.  Their traditional lands, waters and natural resources were exploited for the purpose of capital gain, from which they rarely benefited. 

“We must never give up our fight for equality and justice”, he stated.  For the Forum to become a true vehicle for the advocacy of indigenous rights, it was essential to remain action-oriented and focus on the solutions, rather than on the problems.  The Forum was historical, in that, for the first time, indigenous peoples and governments met on a truly equal basis to address mutual concerns.  For too long, the international community had failed to realize that only by working together could the wrongdoings of the past -- and those that continued to occur -- be finally remedied.  Past experiences showed that without the full, equal and effective participation of indigenous peoples themselves, it was not possible to adequately address their concerns. 

The Forum, he said, symbolized a new kind of partnership between indigenous peoples and governments, and it was extremely important that it become a success.  He was deeply concerned about the fact that the Forum had not yet been equipped with its own secretariat.  The Forum had recommended that such a secretariat be established in New York, directly linked to the ECOSOC secretariat and funded through the United Nations regular budget.  He pleaded to all States, organizations and other interested parties to provide the Forum with adequate financial support. 

IVAN SIMONOVIC, (Croatia) President of the Economic and Social Council, said that the Forum was going to be a success.  Although the Forum was only born two weeks ago, not only had it already begun to walk, but it had begun to run.  He assured the Forum of the full support of the Council in its endeavours.

Source: United Nations

Second Session of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Opens in New York

17 May 2003 - Over 1,500 delegates converged on the New York headquarters of the United Nations this week for the second session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Indigenous representatives, representatives of member states, and officials from international institutions such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organization met daily in Conference Room Two for six hours each day to wrestle with the issues of economic and social development, the environment and the methods of work of the Forum itself.

Out of the chorus of voices from impressively diverse backgrounds and perspectives, some common themes surfaced in the first few days. Many delegates commented on the urgent need to continue work on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in order to adopt a final version before the end of the UN International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in 2004. Indigenous representatives and speakers from other UN agencies emphasized the need for selecting ‘focal points’ – Forum members or staff to serve as liaisons with UN agencies such as the UN Development Programme and the UN Population Fund – in order to increase the efficiency of the new body. Representatives of the World Bank and the World Trade Organization were met with both praise for their active engagement with the Forum, and honest, unvarnished criticism for policies relating to development projects on indigenous territories and the exploitation of indigenous knowledge.

A number of speakers addressed the theme of this year’s session, “Indigenous Children and Youth”, among them Nicole Hetu, member of the Saulteau First Nation and a participant in the UN’s Indigenous Fellowship Program. In her statement to the Forum, Ms. Hetu recommended that the body actively consider the perspectives of youth in forming its recommendations to the Economic and Social Council of the UN. “The International Young Persons Caucus needs to have a real relationship with you,” she told members of the Forum.

Among the notable developments of the first few days of the session was the announcement by Ian Johnson, Vice President of the World Bank, that the Bank would create a “Grants Facility for Indigenous Peoples” with the establishment of a fund containing $700,000 in June. The fund would support projects with grants of up to $50,000. Conceding that “it is not a huge amount of money,” Johnson said that “it is symbolic of our relationship with indigenous peoples.”

“It’s a cruel joke,” the Inter Press Service quoted Roy Laifungbam, of the Center for Organization and Research of India, as saying in response to the announcement. Other delegates echoed the view that the paltry sum should not be accepted as restitution for a litany of destructive World Bank-sponsored projects on indigenous lands.

A suggestion of interest came from the Indigenous Nations of Tlahtokan Aztlan, which recommended that the Forum establish a Treaty Archive, a collection of treaties and accords between indigenous nations and other political entities to guide and inform the Forum’s work. The archive would be compiled “with full respect for and without prejudice to the traditional knowledge and practices of Indigenous Peoples of the planet, including their approaches to international law and principles of … peace.”

Despite – or perhaps because of – the broad spectrum of views put forth, everyone present appeared to be fully cognizant of the new opportunities for collaboration and participation in policy-making that the Forum has created. As the meetings went on, the general atmosphere in Conference Room Two and the bustling hallways of the UN basement seemed to be one of recognition of the groundbreaking achievement represented by the formation of the Permanent Forum itself, tempered by heavy doses of realism among delegates who are fully aware of the formidable challenges facing the new body.

Source: Cultural Survival

In Their Words – Voices from the Second Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

17 May 2003 - Below are excerpts from some statements made in the first few days of the second session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Statement of Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the second session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, delivered by Angela King, Assistant Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women:

“Indigenous peoples continue to be subjected to systemic discrimination and exclusion from economic and political power. They are denied their cultural identities, and displaced from their traditional lands. They are more likely than others to suffer extreme poverty, and all too often experience the human misery caused by conflict.”

“That makes it all the more urgent to firmly establish indigenous issues as part of the United Nations system's daily work, and ensure that efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals reach and fully include indigenous people. We must acknowledge the contributions of indigenous peoples not only in areas such as environmental protection, where those contributions are well established and widely known, but also in other vital areas on the international agenda.”

ON INDIGENOUS YOUTH:

Nicole Hetu, Saulteau First Nation Band Member and Participant in the UN Indigenous Fellowship Program:

“Indigenous young persons have made valuable contributions as they have embraced modern technological trends yet remain guided by the stories, teachings, direction of our ancestors. Indigenous young persons have developed innovative and creative methods to advance our plight and share our struggles that we are confronted with. Indigenous young persons are often bi-cultured – able to live within this modern, global village but rooted in their tradition, culture and values of their Nations.”

Enrique A. Manalo, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations:

“There are over 900 indigenous peoples from all regions in the world. The Philippines is home to 45 of them. When combined, they constitute a significant segment of Philippine society. In this regard, the Philippine Government has taken concrete measures to mainstream them into society while preserving their dignity and culture.”

“Indigenous children and youth should also have access to quality education. Education to indigenous children and youth should include respect for their heritage as well as an understanding of their cultural identity, language and values.”

“The Philippine Department of Education has coordinated its work with non-governmental organizations to develop alternative systems of education for children belonging to indigenous cultural communities in order to ensure that the values and aspirations of these communities are reflected in educational programs.”

ON METHODS OF WORK OF THE PERMANENT FORUM:

Representative of New Zealand, Jonathan Austin:

“The imperative must be for UN activity in the indigenous area to be focused, to be effective and, above all, to deliver practical benefits for indigenous peoples. It is important to ensure there is clarity, understanding and appreciation of the contribution the Forum can make. The Forum should strive to improve the responsiveness of existing mechanisms rather than create new ones. At a time when the UN’s resources are so stretched it will be important to avoid duplication. In this context we are awaiting with interest the outcome of the Review of Indigenous Mechanisms mandated by ECOSOC.”

“New Zealand is firmly committed to the elaboration of a Declaration [on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples] that is predicated on rights, that is responsive, that attracts consensus and support and that is applicable to all indigenous peoples. But time is running out and all parties need to review their positions so that we can agree on a declaration by the end of the International Decade for Indigenous Peoples.”

Tony Belcourt, President of the Metis Nation of Ontario:

“In making our pledge last year I spoke of the need for action. I would like to reiterate our belief that in order for the Permanent Forum to prove its value, it must demonstrate its ability to render talk into action.”

“There are other UN for a where indigenous peoples may intervene, however, once their voices are heard, it is the states that decide what, if any action will take place. The Permanent Forum is unique. It has a role to listen and to hear information from indigenous people. But it is then left to the Permanent Forum, not states, to devise a strategy to address indigenous issues and to assist indigenous peoples.”

“Last year, at the inaugural meeting the Metis Nation offered to the Permanent Forum, on a year-to-year basis, one fully-funded staff member from the Metis People, equivalent to a pledge of $100,000 per year. A full year has gone by since we made that offer but we have yet to find a way for the UN to accept it and act upon it. I am dismayed to now learn that a legal opinion exists that it is impossible for the UN to enter into an agreement directly with the Metis Nation. We at the Metis Nation have extended our hand of support to the Permanent Forum and it is full. . . But that offering directly from us is being turned down. The law, it is said, does not allow it. Well, the law is made by people. It is made by the UN. Let it be changed, because surely the UN does not want to be seen turning down the hand of members of the most oppressed peoples, when they are in a position to contribute towards building strength and unity.”

International Indian Treaty Council, on behalf of the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Seventh Generation Fund:

“Given the rejection of the World Bank to Indigenous Peoples consultations, of 4 basic elements essential to the survival of Indigenous Peoples, we would recommend that the Permanent Forum reflect its profound disappointment that the World Bank will adopt and implement its policy on Indigenous Peoples without taking into account established and emerging international human rights standards and the virtually unanimous inputs of Indigenous Peoples from all parts of the world, regarding: Self-identification as the fundamental criteria for the application of the Indigenous Peoples policy; Full recognition of traditional law and rights to natural resources that are not recognized by national laws; Free, prior and informed consent; and the complete restriction of the forced relocation of Indigenous Peoples . . . And that the Permanent Forum through the ECOSOC recommend to the World Bank that it amend and adopt its Indigenous Policy to include these safeguards necessary for the survival of Indigenous Peoples.”

Indigenous Nations of Tlahtokan Aztlan (submitted by Nahuacalli):

“The distinct and diverse Indigenous Nations of Tlahtokan Aztlan, in Alliance with the confederation of the Eagle and the Condor of the Continent of Itzachilatlan (North, Central, and South America) respectfully recommend that the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recognize, accept, and establish a Treaty Archive, to serve as a repository of Treaties, Accords, and other constructive international agreements between Indigenous Nations and states, and other international political entities past and present.”

ON THE SPIRITUAL PATH OF THE FORUM:

Resolution of the Council of Spiritual Elders of Mother:

“We are expressing deep concern regarding the present condition of our mother earth, the four elements, and our environment which has been violated and is not in accordance with the sacred instructions and beliefs of our elders and ancestors. The Universal Law and Principles must be preserved and honored because they emphasize the cooperative and sacred relationship that must exist between the people, the environment, the animals, and the plants of mother earth.”

“The Council of Spiritual Elders of Mother Earth hereby respectfully requests that the spiritual elders and leaders at this gathering initiate and focus on this sacred pathway for the next five hundred years. We request that the elders and leaders take into account our environment, the four elements, and our relationship to all the living things: our responsibilities for the healing and the wellbeing of Mother Earth and her children here and yet to come. The sacred resources from the holy ones, our ancestors, our elders, and the seven generations will guide us into this Beauty Way, united with one voice, with prayer, and in one spirit.”

ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

Representative John Sinclair, Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations:

“Canada’s long term objective is to reduce the socio-economic gap between Aboriginal people and other Canadians.”

“There are now over 30,000 businesses in Canada owned and operated by Aboriginal people. This represents an annual growth rate for Aboriginally owned businesses is 8.5 percent which far exceeds the non-Aboriginal business growth rate of 1.9 percent.”

“Information communication technologies (ICTs) and Internet connectivity have the potential to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal peoples in Canada and throughout the world. Access to ICTs/Broadband and their effective use have the ability to bridge the systemic gap between the quality of life enjoyed by Canadians living in or near the urban areas of the country and those living in rural, remote and northern areas and between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.”

Legborsi SARO Pyagbara of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People:

“Last year I made a passionate appeal to this forum to come over to Ogoni to loose us from the grip of economic asphyxiation that we are passing through in Nigeria from the unjust exploitation of our oil resources, which has turned our environment into an economic wasteland. That appeal was not in any way heeded, and I am afraid if this is going to be the posture of the forum in the coming years.”

“Ogoni today has over 100 oil wells in eight oil fields, one petrochemical complex, two refineries, a fertilizer complex, an ocean terminal and an Export Processing zone. In terms of trade and liberalization, Ogoni . . . could be classified as one of the areas with the freest trade.”

“However, in spite of the presence of all the economic development projects on our land, we remain a non-player on the scene of any of these companies. None of these companies employ Ogoni people into any serious positions. These companies are rather agents of death of the Ogoni people.”

“Recommendations: Call on members of the Permanent Forum to urgently engage the Nigeria government and Shell on the Ogoni situation; Call on the World Bank and the IMF to cancel all debts on Nigeria and other African countries.”

Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chairperson of Inuit Circumpolar Conference:

“Countries and peoples all over the world are looking for ways and means of making economic development environmentally and socially sustainable. In this quest, as other Indigenous People, Inuit can help enlighten the world. We have, after all, the experience of actually having lived sustainably.”

“Unlike many, we do not look at the economy as separate from all other aspects of our lives . . . Our economy, however, has remained embedded in all aspects of our society. It has not dominated our pursuit of happiness and well-being. Inuit have lived by the hunt and have not yet solely lost themselves in pursuit of the almighty dollar.”

“We, Indigenous People, have played an important role in the development of environmental and human rights instruments over the last decade. These steps forward will result in failure if we do not exert similar influence in the development of international trade agreements be they global, regional or bi-lateral. We must sit at the negotiation tables of the World Trade Organization. Our concerns must be heard by the negotiators of the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas.”

“As Inuit, we have had much success in achieving some degree of political autonomy in Greenland and in Canada. But we must ask ourselves what is the value of that political autonomy if we have no control over how we are affected by the global economy.”

ON GLOBALIZATION:

Geoff Clark, Chairman of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Commission of Australia:

“With our government recently becoming involved in fast-track negotiations with the United States on a free trade agreement the Indigenous peoples of Australia must also now confront the challenges of globalization . . . We should not necessarily fear globalization and we certainly cannot ignore its presence . . . We need to consider how we can become involved in globalization in a positive way while ensuring that our culture and traditions are not destroyed in the process.”  »COMPLETE SPEECH

ON PERMANENT FORUM’S CAPACITY TO INTERVENE:

Goodluck Digbo, President of Partnership for Indigenous Peoples Environment:

“Mr. Chairman, if the Forum had been in existence in 1995, without the competence to intervene in cases that irreparable damage were about to be done by member-states, this Forum would not have made any difference to the situation of my Ogoni people. In that year, Mr. Chairman, nine of my brothers, including our leader, Ken Saro-Wiwa, with whom I endeavored to raise the voice of Ogoni people, were hanged. This is not a situation limited to Ogoni. Of course, it was very instructive and consoling for me yesterday, when the chairman opened this forum with a moment of silence for our fallen brothers and sisters. Let me add that I was to be shot on sight on the orders of the former Nigerian military dictators. Such brutal policy against indigenous peoples by UN member states should warrant urgent intervention by this Forum in the future in order to be effective working partners with nation-states.”

Suhas Chakma, on behalf of Asian Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Network, Kabager Te Ked-Inged and Hill Watch Human Rights Forum:

“Mr. Chair, institutionalized discrimination can only be addressed through development of binding principles and policies to ensure that indigenous peoples, the poorest of the poor who are often discriminated by their governments, are given adequate attention by the UN and other multilateral agencies.”

Source: Cultural Survival

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