28.3 (Fall 2004) The International Decade of the World's Indigenous People

Measuring the Success of the International Decade

On December 31, the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People will come to an end. For this edition, Cultural Survival Quarterly asked indigenous people from around the globe to take stock of what was achieved and what remains to be done. In doing so, we set no criteria for measuring the Decade’s “success.” Nonetheless, the indigenous voices in these pages are unanimous that the accomplishments were far outweighed by what has been left for the future.

Are Indigenous Peoples and Governments on the Same Page?<br> 'Colombia is at the Vanguard With Respect to Diversity’

Statement presented by the government of Colombia at the 22nd Working Group on Indigenous Populations

We wish to underscore the importance that the state and the government of Colombia places on the theme of the protection and defense of the rights of indigenous communities, which make up, in our case, 785,356 inhabitants out of a total population of 42 million inhabitants of our country, and live in 82 community groups.

U.N. Tools at Work in the Philippines

An interview with Victoria Tauli-Corpuz

Ellen Lutz interviewed Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, executive director of the Tebtebba Foundation in the Philippines and newly appointed member of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, during July’s session of the U.N. Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

What has been the most important accomplishment of the International Decade?

Ecuadors’ Past Offers Direction for the Future

Over the course of the last decade, Latin American indigenous leaders have transformed the indigenous rights discourse. While traditional human rights claims persist to stop killings, desist from seizing land and natural resources, end forced relocation, and cease cultural denigration, indigenous leaders also are insisting that states respect their obligations to give indigenous peoples power and voice. High on the list are demands for inclusive and effective citizenship with dignity and without loss of identity.

Still Waiting<br> After Winning Recognition in 1988, Decade was Dismal for Brazil’s Indigenous

After decades of struggle for recognition, indigenous peoples’ in Brazil achieved in 1988 what seemed impossible—the guarantee of their rights in the country’s constitution. When the indigenous rights movement gained greater international recognition in 1994 with the declaration of the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, many of Brazil's indigenous peoples hoped that the rights guaranteed in this constitution—rights to land and cultural security—would be enforced through legislation.

Publications