One of the largest tribes in the United States recently asked me how to get involved at the United Nations. Like many tribes, they are interested in taking their place in the World community and working to protect indigenous rights in this country and globally. Their question was: How do we get started?
Here are some concrete steps:
Commentary by Robert T. Coulter on 2-year anniversary of U.S. endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Commentary by Karla E. General*
Indian Law Resource Center delivers statement at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. CLICK HERE FOR MORE...
President Barack Obama announced the United States’ support for the UN Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples in 2010. Native nations now have the opportunity to use the Declaration as the basis for defining a new era of federal Indian policy. The Center is holding briefing sessions to give Native leaders and advocates an overview of the Declaration and to provide practical case studies on how it applies to Native nations today.
by Karla E. General* - The Declaration recognizes and affirms the rights of indigenous peoples to their cultural, religious, and spiritual practices, to have private access to sacred sites, as well as to maintain and strengthen their spiritual relationship with their traditionally held lands, territories, waters and coastal seas and other resources.
by Jana Walker - Despite some strides in addressing violence against Native women, there is no doubt United States law falls far short of even the minimum human rights standards set forth in the UN Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples. Considering the United States’ trust responsibility to Indian nations, coupled with the standards in the Declaration, it is imperative that the U.S. act now to end the epidemic of violence against Native women.
The States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing, Setting the Standard: Domestic Policy Implications of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, on June 9, 2011
The United States endorsement of the Declaration, on December 16 of last year, was cause for celebration. With his announcement of support for the Declaration, President Obama emphasized that the endorsement wouldn’t be an empty gesture, but that the administration will take actions in line with the Declaration.
President Obama announced the U.S. support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the December 16, 2010 Tribal Nations Consultation in Washingtong, D.C.
The declaration lays out the fundamental rights of the world's indgenous peoples.
Representatives met with U.S. officials to discuss the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Tribal leaders meet with U.S. officials in third consultation
For more than 30 years, the Center has been a global force -- challenging and building legal frameworks-- to enhance the lives of indigenous peoples.
The Center provides training and legal information in order to expand the number of Indian leaders and community members who participate in international human rights procedures. We help indigenous leaders to promote and defend their human rights, to use human rights law to change domestic law and to use their political power to change the United States’ policies concerning international human rights law.
A year ago, the international community at last officially recognized that indigenous peoples have a permanent right to exist as peoples, nations, cultures and societies when the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on Sept.13, 2007.
September 13, 2007, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in an historic vote. The Declaration was adopted by a substantial majority of nation states, with 143 voting in favor, 4 against, and 11 abstaining. The Declaration was forwarded to the General Assembly by the Human Rights Council last year.
Indian and Alaska Native nations and tribes have long used international law, especially human rights law, to challenge the discrimination and injustice that affect them. International human rights offer some real hope for overcoming the severe unfairness of the laws and policies in many countries, including the United States.
During a meeting of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, Namibia sponsored a resolution asking for a delay in adoption of the declaration, saying it contradicted the national constitutions of a number of African countries.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing on June 9, 2011 on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Robert T. Coulter, Executive Director of the Center, was invited to testify. Please credit all photos as "An ILRC photo by Leo Crippa."
1. U.S. law treats federally recognized tribes differently from other indigenous groups in the United States. Is this practice consistent with the Declaration?
Text of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Briefing paper written by the National Congress of American Indians, Native American Rights Fund, and the Indian Law Resource Center on the U.S. State Department Consultations on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
| Center to discuss Principles of International Law for Multi-lateral Development Banks at UN Permanent Forum session | ||
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Indian Country Today article. National Congress of American Indians passed a "resolution supporting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, urging endorsement from State and Federal governments."
