Challenges, Hopes and Dreams of Indigenous

PeoplesInternational Presentation

Association

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples

adopted by UN General Assembly, 61st session, 13-9-07

It ‘sets important standards re IP’s in eliminating human

rights violations, removing discrimination & marginalisation

Goal: to encourage governments to work alongside IP’s to solve global issues

IPA’ s commitment to IP’s

IPA People work alongside Indigenous People in many countries

IPA People participated in Indigenous Forum at UN from 2002

The First World Conference on Indigenous Peoples 2014 was an opportunity To create awareness of UN Declaration on Rights of

Indigenous Peoples among IPA & Indigenous Peoples

To study outcome documents and identify recommendations most suitable for respective countries

To draft talking points to use for advocacy at national and international level

World Conference on Indigenous Peoples(WCIP)

Preparation for WCIP called for active engagement of IP’s at regional & global level

The resolution outlined basic program: • inviting Civil Societies to participate (g); • stating NGO Representatives would be invited to

attend (I and j); and• included further information about hoped for

outcomes, etc.World Conference was in New York, September

2014

Action from IPA

1. Did research2. Identified people engaged with Indigenous

Peopleso Created awareness of World Conference on IPo Engaged IP in conversation on ‘Declaration...’ at

UN and regional level3. Gathered data

Information was sent to IP re concerns, hopes, dreams with return schedule for IPA working group

4. Report writingCollated responses into paper for WCIP

IPA NGO Representative advocacy

Final document was used at UN & IPA in: developing talking points; submitting written statements; presenting oral interventions; engaging in dialogue during panel discussions; organizing side/parallel events; printing publications; meeting various governments and UN agencies;

Advocacy is strengthened with position papers related

to theme of event, supported with evidence based data

from countries where IPA has a presence

Listening

IPA heard wisdom of 50 Indigenous people from:

Australia Canada EcuadorNew Zealand Philippines India

And others who worked alongside them, hearing their

challenges, hopes and dreams

Challenges

Indigenous people hope for systemic change re:

discrimination injustice unemploymenthomelessness illiteracy corruptionbonded slavery

These lead to:lack of self-confidence apathy

alcoholismfear of authority drug abuse

violence

Hopes

1. Recognition of sacredness of land and water

2. Integrity of all earth’s eco-systems3. Education by Indigenous peoples on

issues affecting them4. Future employment, especially for youth5. Justice that recognises their rights6. Respect and promotion of their culture

Positives

Women gain confidence in business and farming;

Sale of handicrafts; Tribal women support each other, start self-

help groups; Improved maternal health; Herbal remedies used, shared training re

natural health; Increased secondary education; More lawyers, health workers, educationalists

and social workers support their own people;

Ecuador dreaming

“My dream is that my children will not suffer as I have... I dream of having my own house” “We dream of a society with equal opportunity for all, where there is food and no one goes hungry; Where wives and daughters do not have to walk long distances to get water;Where affordable education and health services are available at all times;We dream of a happy life for themselves and our children.”

India Positives

India: “We were ignorant, in our wadi. With no school the sisters taught our children, established the Saving scheme and got the Government to start goat rearing. Now all our children are enrolled in school and we are able to speak to anyone. We went to the District Police station to complain about people selling alcohol in the Wadis.”

Maori and Aboriginal dreaming

Maori people want: ‘Health, education, housing, jobs that last, Treaty of Waitangi better understood by all, a social justice system that fully recognises the rights of all people – issues faced by all people in NZ – not just Maori.’

Aboriginal Australia: “Real application & implementation of UN DRIP

to be carried out, a copy of declaration be studied by communities of variouscultures. ‘Free, prior and informed consent’ to be fully respected”.

Philippine Dreaming

The Indigenous people of the Philippines hope:

‘The government will listen to the Indigenous People seriously and attentively, initiate a thorough education during regional assemblies re law on Indigenous People, adequately inform them of their rights, resources, budget and services/programs available, have an Indigenous Person Office in every locality/town that welcomes them to seek information, relief and services.’

Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples help us reflect on mistaken idea of development when we see how their spiritual outlook on life and their ecological awareness over centuries have sustained and enlightened them. Their innate wisdom is extremely valuable today. A young Indigenous person suggested we need: ‘native language, identity, cultural awareness and care for our natural world.’We respect the rights, dignity and differences within cultures at all levels.

IP’s Recommendations

1. The recognition and affirmation of treaty rights as stated and supported by the UN International Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples be implemented by all governments.

2. Indigenous rights to free, prior and fully informed consent regarding government legislative or administrative measures that may affect them be implemented by governments, especially regarding extractive industries and the building of dams.

IP’s Recommendations

3. Indigenous leadership that seeks to address injustices in education, housing, health, poverty, childcare, land and water rights and economic development be actively supported.

4. Prejudice, discrimination and racism be eliminated.

IP’s Recommendations

5. Policy discussions regarding ecological protection include Indigenous people, as they have been the experts for centuries.

6. Educational policies take language, culture, spirituality and Indigenous traditions into account.

7. Land rights be recognised by each government, as corporate ownership of land is crucial to Indigenous people’s continued existence.