at 1:35:15 of the (10th meeting)
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
12th session - ECOSOC
by Kenneth Deere
Text as transcribed from the DOCIP archive
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
12th session - ECOSOC
by Kenneth Deere
Text as transcribed from the DOCIP archive
*************
1. The North
American Indigenous Peoples Caucus (NAIPC) met on March 1, 2 and 3, 2013 at the
Sycuan Resort, in the traditional territory of the Kumeyaay Nation. The meeting was sponsored by the Sycuan
Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, the Haudenosaunee, the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay
Nation, and the Lummi Nation.
2. North American Indigenous Peoples’
Caucus Strategy for the Indigenous Peoples’ Preparatory Meeting in Alta, Norway
and the HLP/WCIP in 2014:
We will advance the work of the NAIPC by exploring the
possibilities of where this can go, including attending and participating in
the Indigenous Peoples’ preparatory gathering in Alta, Norway for the HLP/WCIP
2014, based on the following:
1. a) Advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples as Peoples
and Nations with rights equal to all other Peoples[1]
3. c) At the global Indigenous Peoples’ preparatory meeting we will advance the position that the Indigenous Peoples’ “outcome document” shall protect and advance the inalienable
and fundamental rights we have as Indigenous Peoples and
Nations, including the right to participate fully and equally as Peoples and
Nations to support the implementation of the
provisions of the UN Declaration that advance the rights and
protections of Indigenous Peoples and Nations.
4. d) The Caucus may propose and consider specific recommendations consistent with this decision.
4. d) The Caucus may propose and consider specific recommendations consistent with this decision.
5. e) That the Alta “outcome document” will be reviewed by NAIPC to explore and assess the possible benefits and negative impacts, and to determine future involvement including at the HLP/WCIP.
6. f) Key Themes
International oversight of
monitoring mechanism
Domination
Decolonization
Self-determination
Culture, language and spirituality
International personality of
Indigenous peoples
Free prior and informed consent
Defense against ecocide, ethnocide
and genocide Militarization
International border issues
Environmental including water
rights
Land rights
Treaties and treaty rights
Defense of Indigenous Peoples
traditional knowledge and cultural expressions and genetic resources
g) Major Topics
Militarization borders/occupation,
Violence against women, children,
and elders
True cost economy, poverty and
economic development
Forced assimilation,
Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’
contribution
Land rights, and
Territorial/jurisdiction
Treaties and other constructive
frameworks
The NAIPC Recommendations for Outcome Document
The NAIPC recommends that the entire UN system, especially the Permanent Forum, use the term Peoples at all times when referring to Indigenous Peoples.
The NAIPC recommends that a systemic analysis of the causation of colonization, domination and subordination be undertaken, that continued work be done on issues related to the use and impact of the racist Doctrine of Discovery that has allowed states to steal Indigenous lands and resources, and that a statement be drafted on the Doctrine of Discovery and that the Doctrine be repudiated in the HLP WCIP Outcomes Document.
The NAIPC recommends the organization of an official UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in accordance with the promises made by the UN during the Second Decade of Indigenous Peoples.
The NAIPC recommends that there be an international mechanism and oversight monitoring body for redress and restitution of treaty violations by states and/ or successor states.
The NAIPC recommends that the Outcome Document stress the import of acknowledging the status of Indigenous peoples in the North particularly regarding United Nations funding mechanisms.
The NAIPC recommends that the Outcome Document acknowledge water as a critical element for cultural, physical, and spiritual survival.
The NAIPC recommends that the Outcome Document take a position against Aquacide: the killing of the waters by dams, diversions, privatization, deprivations, extractive industrial and mega-agricultural developments, hydraulic -fracturing, toxins, and pollution, and other ways that inhibit or preclude Water’s ability to nurture and support Life. This includes working to immediately halt Aquacide by all forms of exploitation, commodification, and other assaults that impede or destroy the life giving quality of Water.
The NAIPC recommends the creation of a body with a mandate to promote and monitor the implementation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The General Assembly should, in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples, establish a mechanism by a process which includes the full and equal participation of Indigenous peoples.
The NAIPC recommends further work be done related to combating violence against Indigenous women and girls, including explicitly linking the issue of environmental violence, including the connection between sexual violence against women and girls and extractive industries.
The NAIPC recommends that the situation of non-recognized Nations be included in the discussion of violence against women and girls, and that the State’s refusal to acknowledge these Nations is a form of violence against Indigenous women and girls.
The NAIPC recommends that there be a move toward a world expert meeting to focus on the theme of domination, decolonization, and self- determination.
The NAIPC recommends that the Outcome Document address the issue of poverty as it relates to the Millennium Development Goals.
The NAIPC recommends that the Outcome Document reinforce the right of free prior and informed consent on all matters that effect Indigenous Nations and Peoples.
The NAIPC maintains a position that assigning a lesser or subsidiary role for Indigenous Peoples as compared to states in any phase of this High Level Plenary Meeting would constitute a violation of the very rights which it purports to affirm. Real participation is not the same as mere presence in the room.
