President Barack Obama again named November as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, asking Americans to celebrate the day after Thanksgiving, November 26, as National Native American Heritage Day.
 
"The Obama Administration has once again exhibited that every day the federal government is paying more attention to the role of American Indian and Alaska Native nations as members of the American family of governments," said Jefferson Keel, president of the National Congress of American Indians.

On November 5 the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, examined the United States’ compliance with its international human rights obligations. The council comprises 53 member states and conducts human rights reviews of all 192 UN member states in a four-year cycle. In reviewing the United States, members of the council questioned a delegation of over 30 U.S. officials.

A Message by Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs 

New York, 18 October 2010

…Since 2007, the Declaration [on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples] has become a key reference point, a pivotal document in national and international legal proceedings involving violations of indigenous peoples’ rights. In a few countries, mainly in Latin America, it has become a part of constitutional reform processes. This integration is so vital for building strong foundations for the political, social and economic future of indigenous peoples.

On October 1, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued a ruling that the Mexican government had violated the human rights of two Indigenous Me'phaa women who were raped by members of the armed forces in 2002. The violations also include giving impunity for those responsible for the abuses as well the harassment of the people who have supported the women in their search for justice.

On September 30th, 2010, the 15th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate and change the name of the former “UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous People.” This position is currently held by Professor James Anaya and will now be called “the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”