World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
The 66th General Assembly of the United Nations gave us a promising opportunity when it passed a resolution calling for a World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014. The World Conference will produce a concise, action-oriented outcome document that should contribute to the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples, pursue the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and promote the achievement of internationally agreed development goals.Preparing for the World Conference has been a critical time for input from Indian nations. We want to make sure that there is authentic indigenous participation as the outcome document is developed prior to the World Conference September 22-23, 2014, in New York.
We began our work in 2013 by drafting recommendations for UN action. These proposals include: establishing a monitoring and implementation body for the UN Declaration; taking specific steps to combat violence against indigenous women; and creating a new and appropriate status for indigenous governments and peoples participating in the UN.
In a matter of a few months – through our briefings, phone calls, meetings, articles, and other outreach to tribes – we earned the support of over 70 Indian nations and many Native organizations in the United States for these proposals. It is gratifying to see so many tribes take their place in the international community, and we expect more to join. We are also reaching out to indigenous leaders in Central and South America to encourage and increase their participation and representation in the World Conference.
We have supported tribal leaders as they participate in preparatory meetings, including the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva. Our efforts resulted in our recommendations being included in the recommendations from the Alta Conference, a global gathering of indigenous representatives.
We believe tribes have an excellent chance of securing a concrete commitment by the UN General Assembly to establish an implementing and monitoring body for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other positive actions.
To learn more, visit www.indianlaw.org/worldconference. Materials are available in English and Spanish.
Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United States and Reforming Federal Law
In 1976, the idea of a UN Declaration began to form among indigenous leaders who were seeking justice and recognition of their sovereign rights. We wanted recognition of our right to exist as tribes, our right of self-determination and self-governance, our right to continue our cultural practices and to speak our languages, and our right to control our land and natural resources free from the control of an external power.We fought for 30 years to win adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007 and United States endorsement in 2010. Nevertheless, we continue to live within a legal framework where the U.S. Congress has excessive control over Indian tribes and their property, the power to violate treaties, and the power to take Indian lands at will with no compensation; federal Indian law is flawed with these and many other racist elements. Helping tribes and Native leaders build a national movement to change federal law and implement the principles of the UN Declaration remains the cornerstone of our work.
In 2013, we continued our efforts by bringing tribes and Native leaders together to help them gain a deeper understanding of how they can apply the principles of the UN Declaration to advance their tribal priorities. Many tribes agree with our focus on economic development and poverty reduction as major reasons for demanding reform of federal polices and laws. They know from experience that the unfair legal framework today prevents tribes from doing what they could otherwise do to improve the lives and social conditions of their people. They are eager to help take action.
We also began the major task of reviewing all federal laws specifically applicable to Indians to assess their compliance with the UN Declaration. We are working to identify the most significant laws that violate the Declaration in order to inform our law reform efforts.
We are grateful to the many tribal leaders who have participated in our briefing sessions, training events, and our Advisory Committee for our Law Reform project. We will continue our efforts to change the most unworkable elements of federal Indian law and seek to give tribes a genuine opportunity to gain meaningful control of their lands and improve their economic and social well-being.
