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.”
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.”
