United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
18th Session, 22 April – 3 May, 2019
Item 11: Human rights. Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Nya weñha Skanoh - Greetings,
To all our Indigenous delegations; to the distinguished
members of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
Madame Chair:
Congratulations and thank you for excepting leadership and
the responsibilities of the 18th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues. The Haudenosaunee stands in support of your work in the
coming year.
We thank Ms. Vicki Corpus Special Rapporteur for your many
years of service for Indigenous Peoples we ask you to monitor development of
Canada’s proposal to indigenous nations for “New Treaties”.
The legislative framework proposal: Canada’s collaborative
self-government fiscal policy has drawn strong reaction from indigenous nations
territories and communities across Canada. The UNDRIP articles in particular
the right to self- determination, free prior and informed consent and articles
26, 1, 2, and 3 regarding lands territories and resources are our immediate
concerns. We have treaties of peace and friendship with the French, the British
and the United States of America.
Canada became the successor state of Great Britain and
therefore is obligated under International Treaty Law to recognize and uphold
those treaties made between Great Britain and Haudenosaunee (Six Nations). Many
treaties were made between entities in North America that included the
Haudenosaunee. Treaties between Indigenous Nations and States must be
recognized within the context of the times as valid and in force.
So, we are concerned with Canada’s new suite of legislation that would relegate Indigenous Nations and peoples to a third or fourth order of government. Lower orders of government do not sign Treaties.
So, we are concerned with Canada’s new suite of legislation that would relegate Indigenous Nations and peoples to a third or fourth order of government. Lower orders of government do not sign Treaties.
Agreements with entities created under Canada’s Indian Act
cannot replace the nation to nation relationship between the Haudenosaunee and
the Crown.
Adding the words “Modern Day Treaties” to a process of
extinguishment of Indigenous land rights in the 21st Century does not
legitimize a felony.
Past centuries of land thefts of Indigenous territories pale
in comparison to this proposal. We bring our issues before you with deep
concerns for our coming generations and the survival issue they will face.
Human migration caused by global warming is underway as we
speak. Climate change will intensify as powerful oil corporations intensify oil
extraction with a process called “Hydro fracking”, this process has already
affected Indigenous territories in Canada and the USA.
We perceive a relationship between “Hydro Fracking” and the
termination of Indigenous titles to the land. Further, there seem to be no
regard or concern by these corporate leaders for the future of their very own
children.
We raised the issue of survival of the human species
nineteen years ago in these very halls with our warning, that the “Ice is
melting”.
If we can address climate change in a positive way with
traditional Indigenous principles and values our species may have a chance for survival.
Ms. Corpus, as Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues, we ask you to monitor, examine and issue a report on Canada’s collaborative self-government fiscal
policy.
Thank you.
Dahnato, (Now I am finished)
Oren Lyons, Wolf Clan Onondaga Nation
