Climate Change, Human Rights, and Indigenous Peoples: International Indian Treaty Council Submission

Submission to the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights by the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), NGO in Special Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council

“From a traditional perspective, the health of our Peoples cannot be separated from the health of our environment, the practice of our spirituality and the expression of our inherent right to self-determination, upon which the mental, physical and social health of our communities is based.”

--- IITC Oral Intervention presented by Faith Gemmill, Gwich’in Nation Alaska
United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, Geneva July 31, 1996 The

International Indian Treaty Council is pleased to provide this information relevant to the Council on Human Rights’ resolution 7/23 adopted on March 28th 2008, entitled “Human Rights and Climate Change”, responding to an invitation by the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights. We thank the UN Human Rights Council for their very timely and appropriate interest in this critical concern impacting a wide range of human rights within its mandate. We welcome this opportunity to present some perspectives, experiences, views and concerns of Indigenous Peoples for inclusion in the “detailed analytical study of the relationship between climate change and human rights to be submitted to the Council prior to its tenth session” as called for by the HRC resolution. We also hope that this submission will contribute to the development of a comprehensive and effective human rights framework through which the Council and the UN System as a whole can address this issue, emphasizing the inextricable link between human survival and the protection of the Natural Environment, is a fundamental underpinning of the world view of Indigenous Peoples around the world.

There is no doubt that Indigenous Peoples, together with the entire human family and the natural world, are facing a crisis of unprecedented proportions, profoundly threatening our human rights and our survival as Peoples. This threat is Global Climate Change, or as many have called it, the “Global Climate Crisis”. Peoples around the world are experiencing its effects in increasingly severe natural disasters, negative impacts on traditional subsistence economies and food security, shifts and weather patterns, and dramatic changes in ecosystems including essential resources including water. We expect these effects to worsen in the coming years, with devastating effects on our human rights and survival. There is no doubt that the many signs we see around the world are harbingers of catastrophic impacts yet to come if the human family, including UN member states, fails to undertake the necessary decisive collective action required to reverse the present course.

For Indigenous Peoples, the air, waters, lands, plants and animals, seas and sea ice constitute the totality of the natural environments which have traditionally sustained life since time immemorial. These natural ecosystems provide the basis for their traditional subsistence economies (farming, hunting, gathering, herding and fishing), their physical health, and collective material survival and are a requirement for the exercise of their right to development. The sacred responsibility to maintain the health and integrity of the Natural World for future generations is also a central element of Indigenous Peoples’ spirituality, traditional ceremonial practices, religious expressions and ceremonial practice.

The causes, impacts as well as many of the proposed “solutions” to Climate Change result, and in many cases combine, resulting in violations of a wide range of internationally-recognized Human Rights for Indigenous Peoples around the world. These include, inter alia, the Rights of the Child, the Rights to Health, Food Security, Development, Physical Integrity, Security, Permanent Sovereignty over Land and Natural Resources, Treaty Rights, Free Prior and Informed Consent, Self-Determination, Cultural Rights, Religious Freedom and the Right of Peoples not to be Deprived of their own Means of Subsistence. In addition, the territorial integrity of Indigenous Peoples, along with that of many states, is increasingly threatened.

It cannot be stressed enough that that the Global Climate Crisis constitutes a growing threat to the right to life and survival itself. In our view this unprecedented crisis requires an urgent, significant and comprehensive response by all states, the United Nations as a whole and all of its bodies, including the Human Rights Council, ECOSOC, the UN Security Council and the General Assembly. The UN Human Rights Council has a very significant role and responsibility in this regard, based on its comprehensive mandate to protect and defend human rights.

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AlterNative Call for Papers: Indigenous Peoples Issues

Perhaps one of the most radical challenges posed to Western epistemologies in recent times has been the rapid growth of indigenous, traditional and aboriginal knowledge in the academy. Through questioning teleological views of progress and presenting alternative histories, indigenous perspectives shake the foundations of even the most established of disciplines by offering other ways of being in this world.

AlterNative welcomes submissions from scholars around the globe engaging with indigenous issues across all disciplines for its upcoming issue.

AlterNative is a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal that profiles analysis by, with and on indigenous peoples around the world. Founded in 2005, AlterNative is dedicated to creating a space for critical dialogue on indigenous issues within the academy.

Scope

Suggested themes include:

• Origins, place and peoples
• Communities and culture
• Traditional and oral histories
• Heritage
• Colonialism, power and intervention
• Development and self-determination

It is expected articles will relate to one or more of these themes and convey a uniquely indigenous world-view in its approach.

Each issue also features one article published in its original language alongside an English translation.

Submission details AlterNative primarily accepts articles between 5,000 – 7,000 words long.

Short, timely commentaries between 2,000 and 3,500 words that address critical issues are also accepted.

Book reviews are also encouraged. These should be no more than 1,000 words long.

Articles, commentaries and book reviews should be accompanied by a 100 – 150 word abstract.

Further details on submission and referencing guidelines are available on our website, www.alternative.ac.nz.

Deadline for submissions is April 30, 2009. Please send correspondence to editors@alternative.ac.nz.

AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Scholarship
c/o Nga Pae o te Maramatanga
Waipapa Marae Complex
16 Wynyard St
Private Bag 92019
Auckland 1142
New Zealand

Phone: 64 9 373 7599 x 84220
Fax: 64 9 373 7928

Email: editors@alternative.ac.nz
Visit the website at http://www.alternative.ac.nz

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Depiction of Indigenous Peoples in Twilight Outrage Native Americans

Native Americans Outraged Over Twilight Fraud Action Alert

Hollywood, CA – Native Americans are outraged over what they hold as deceptions in and around the production of the Hollywood film series “Twilight.”

With the commercial success of Twilight, Hollywood is abuzz with agents molding, fitting, and pushing their celebrity actors to pass as Native Americans.

“The Twilight Series is one of few commercial films, a script, and a story with Native American roles.” said Lydia Ponce. “It is a sad day to see that the big power agents are marketing Filipino and Asian celebrity actors to play Native Americans. These are such rare opportunities. When films like Twilight knowingly and willfully select non-Native American actors to play Native roles, it sends the message that we’re not good enough to represent ourselves.”

Not so long ago Old Western films hired Caucasian actors who were painted a brownish-red and wore wigs to portray Native peoples. Continued insult and injury further perpetuating bias, stereotypes, and racism, was so very wrong and evil then and now. Hollywood is using the tan spray and hair extensions again.

Hollywood agents are instructing their talent to dig and find those ‘Native Roots’ and publicize their newfound Native American heritage in interviews conveniently in sync with current casting needs and trends.

Twilight’s lead actor Taylor Lautner, who allegedly just found his Native American roots, was given the extraordinary opportunity to play the lead in the film well after the “discovery” of his ethnicity.

In a recent MTV interview Lautner stated, “I am part Native American. We learned that through [preparing for] this film. I'm French, Dutch and German, and on my mother's side, she has some Potawatomi and Ottawa Indian in her.”

However, in a film with such a strong Native American theme, only two actors of Native American decent were hired. But due to reasons unknown, Solomon Trimble (Apache) who played and established the character of Sam Uley, has suddenly lost his role.

Sam Uley’s character has been re-posted onto the Hollywood-casting breakdown, and it is obvious that Hollywood is now looking for a more marketable teen heartthrob celebrity actor to play the more substantial and very desirable part.

Given that this franchise’s upcoming sequels have two Native American female roles, it is concerning that there is only one female role currently open on the official breakdown casting. It is a very small role that never develops into a significant female lead.

Reports surfaced across the Internet yesterday morning that Vanessa Hudgens has auditioned for the other withheld major Native American role in the series.

It cannot be just mere coincidence that Chris Weitz, the new Director of the Twilight film series, shares the same powerful agent that is also representing Vanessa Hudgens and Taylor Lautner.

“Today Native American communities offer plenty of known and unknown talent.” said Lydia Ponce. “How can we accept that Filipinos and other ethnic groups, talented or not, are being packaged and sold to us as the redefined and new and improved Native American image? What about the social responsibility the casting of this film will once more have in terms of its power to re-identify and redefine an entire culture within the public eye? Hollywood is not trusting native peoples to portray themselves once again. It’s like we’re being ethnically cleansed from mainstream films.”

Reliable insider sources, who preferred to stay anonymous, state Taylor Lautner’s Agent, was overheard in commenting during a conversation regarding Taylor Lautner’s Native American heritage, “Well, we had to work around that. We had to fudge it. No one will know the difference.”

Native or not native, in a recent television interview about his reception by the Native community while promoting the film, Taylor told the press how: “I actually had a meeting with Quileute tribal members yesterday! I interviewed them and just wanted to get to know them. One thing they do that I noticed is they don't need to be told to what to do. If the trash is getting full, they empty it out. They're always helping each other and are really nice. They are people just like you and me.”

Access Hollywood today confirms that Vanessa Hudgens (Filipino) from High School Musical HAS auditioned and is up for the role of Leah, the lone werewolf and main Native American female character: http://www.accesshollywood.com/vanessa-hudgens-to-join-twilight-sequel_article_13014.

Given that this franchise’s upcoming sequels has only two Native American female roles, it is shocking that the only female role currently open on the official casting breakdown is the very small role of Emily, a character that never develops into a significant female lead.

The stronger role of Leah, whose character will develop into a significant leading role for a Native American actress in New Moon’s sequel Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, is currently absent from the casting breakdowns and therefore not available to talent agents for submission.

The fact that the major role of Leah is NOT listed on the casting breakdowns, coupled with the fact that Vanessa Hudgens has auditioned for the part of Leah, is enough for any Native American actress to feel discriminated against in the sole right to be given even a chance or consideration.

It’s easy to find the information and cannot be just mere coincidence that Chris Weitz, the new Director of the franchised film sequel, shares the same powerful agent (William Morris Agency) also representing Vanessa Hudgens and Taylor Lautner.

Action Alert: Join us in solidarity--Thursday, Jan. 15 @ 4:00 PM sharp--in front of Summit Entertainment for a Peaceful Rally/Demonstration: A Prayer Ceremony (Address is listed below).

Also, please join us in solidarity by having your voice heard by calling, e-mailing and contacting ALL of the Twilight representatives listed below and urge them to honor Native Peoples by having us represent ourselves:

Summit Entertainment (Production Company)
Producer: Mark Morgan
1630 Stewart St.
Ste. 120
Santa Monica, CA 90404
USA

mmorgan@imprint-ent.com
Phone: 818-733-5410

Stephenie Meyer / author of the Twilight books
c/o Liddell Entertainment
606 N. Larchmont Blvd.
Suite 202
LA, CA 90004

http://stepheniemeyer.com

http://www.myspace.com/stephenie_meyer

Phone: 323-461-1103

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Human Rights Learning As Peace Education: Pursuing Democracy in a Time of Crisis

International Institute on Peace Education 2009

July 26 - August 2 Budapest, Hungary

Human Rights Learning as Peace Education: Pursuing Democracy in a Time of Crisis

For more information visit: www.i-i-p-e.org

The International Institute on Peace Education (IIPE) 2009 will take place from July 26 to August 2 in Budapest, Hungary. The institute is being co-organized by the EJBO Foundation in partnership with Global Education Associates with the support and sponsorship of UNESCO.

IIPE was founded in 1982 by Dr. Betty Reardon and faculty colleagues at Teachers College Columbia University and has been held annually in different parts of the world. For 26 years the IIPE has been providing unique short-term, residential, cooperative learning experiences in peace education. The IIPE is not a traditional conference but rather a "learning community" in which the organizers and participants work together to nurture an inclusive, highly interactive learning environment. It is an intensive multicultural and cooperative learning opportunity in which participants learn from and with each other about substantive peace issues and interactive teaching approaches. The IIPE is also an opportunity for networking and community building among those who educate and work for a culture of peace in the host region and around the world.

"Human Rights Learning as Peace Education: Pursuing Democracy in a Time of Crisis"

IIPE 2009 will explore the theme of "Human Rights Learning as Peace Education: Pursuing Democracy in a Time of Crisis." Human rights learning, as facilitated by peace educators is critical, participatory and learner centered. It is intended to prepare learners to work toward the transformation of the existing order of violence and injustice into a world social system based upon the principle of universal human dignity. This principle of human dignity underlies all human rights concepts and norms and is at the core of human rights learning (HRL). HRL emphasizes modes of critical thinking and self reflection that are necessary for internalizing the essential principles of human rights, enabling individuals and communities to become agents of change (PDHRE). HRL begins with "assuming the rights of learners to decide themselves what they will believe and develops means through which the learners can acquire information while forming their own opinions and determining their own course of action about the issues of concern to themŠin the absence of authentic human rights learning people will not be able to achieve their full dignity."(Reardon)

Such critical thinking is essential to participatory democracy. "Strong democracy" (Barber) is based upon a positive conception of liberty dependent upon self-determination, equality, deliberation and direct participation in the political decisions that affect our personal and social lives (Snauwaert). The realization of human rights can be seen as the necessary conditions and core values of participatory democracy and positive peace. Educating for critical thinking and democracy would include questioning policy that deprives or denies any individual or group of any of their fundamental human rights. Such inquiry is a key process of peace education pedagogy.

The world is now seized by multiple, complex economic and political crises. Many of the policies and political decisions that have contributed to these crises have been justified as furthering "democracy." The global economic crisis can be attributed in large part to the decisions and behaviors of a minority of the human family who control the world's resources and act in short-term self-interest at the expense of the majority and the biosphere. The political crises stem from similar origins, the policies and strategies of those who wield state power without regard to universal human rights

During the year of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the "International Year of Human Rights Learning," it is fitting that the IIPE consider the framework of Human Rights as an ethical vision for just and democratic global and local societies. Human rights learning as peace education offers a pedagogy for an education toward the realization of essential rights, responsibilities, duties and obligations of an informed and engaged democracy. Through human rights learning as peace education, citizens may be capacitated to critically examine and challenge political ideas; inquire into economic and environmental policies; propose and consider alternatives; and work toward a more just global future.

We invite applicants to join the IIPE 2009 inquiry that will identify and assess the social, political and educational structures that pose impediments to the realization of human rights and a culture of peace. We will seek to examine the links between economic and political crises at the local, state, regional and global levels and look for ways to address them through education. Through our common discourse and reflection we will learn together about possibilities for formal, non-formal and informal education to capacitate citizens to pursue democratic change. We encourage all applicants to consider how they might contribute to this exploration from their own experiences locally, nationally and regionally, as formal or non-formal educators, or as advocates or activists. Together, we hope to illuminate the possibilities for human rights learning as peace education to guide us through and transform this epoch of political and economic crisis.

References:

Barber, Benjamin (1985). Participatory Politics for a New Age. Berkeley, CA:
University of California Press.

PDHRE ­ Peoples Movement for Human Rights Learning. www.pdhre.org

Reardon, Betty. Statement prepared for PDHRE. www.pdhre.org

Snauwaert, Dale (2005) "Reclaiming the Lost Treasure: Deliberation and Strong Democratic Education" Educational Theory, 42:351-367.

Application Information:

An online application will be available beginning in early January, 2009. Applications must be submitted by March 15, 2009 for full consideration. Notices of acceptances will be sent in early April. If you require an earlier response for funding or institutional purposes please contact the IIPE secretariat at info(at)i-i-p-e.org.

Acceptance for participation in the IIPE is based upon applicant's potential contribution to the goal of developing and strengthening peace education and human rights learning in the host region and toward a more global perspective on peace education among all participants. The IIPE attempts to practice the principles of peace education by engaging all participants in our short term learning community in an experience of participatory learning in which all of us can learn from each other. Therefore the IIPE is limited to 65 total participants. The IIPE requires full-time participation from all participants. You must be able to participate in the full period of the IIPE (July 26-August 2) for your application to be considered. If after acceptance a participant finds he or she must leave early or arrive late, their place will be given to another on the waiting list. For full details on acceptance criteria and application procedures please visit the IIPE website.

Participation Fees:

Participation fees cover all onsite costs including food, housing (double occupancy), local transportation and excursions. Participation fees for 2009 are still being determined and should be announced when the application period opens. Participation fees average between $450-650.

Scholarship:

The institute operates on a self-sustaining basis in which all participants, including the organizers and presenters pay their own travel and participation fees or find their own funding. The IIPE attempts each year to raise a small scholarship fund for participants coming from currency poor or post-conflict countries. Unfortunately scholarships are not provided for participants applying from the US or Western Europe. Scholarships come only in the form of participation fee waivers (the IIPE does not provide financial support for travel or other expenses). If you think you will be in need of scholarship please indicate so when applying. We hope you might consider a contribution to the IIPE to fund scholarships. Your generosity will help ensure that those potential participants in greatest need of training and solidarity will be able to attend the institute. We would be grateful for any amount you may be able to donate. All donations are tax deductible. You may download a donation form or donate online by credit card at www.i-i-p-e.org/donate.html.

Contact Us:

The International Institute on Peace Education is globally coordinated by Global Education Associates.

The International Institute on Peace Education

care of: Global Education Associates

475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1626B

New York, New York 10115

web: www.i-i-p-e.org

email: info (at)i-i-p-e.org

tel: 212-870-3290

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Educational Opportunities in Guatemala: Work on Indigenous Human Rights Issues

Rights Action invites you to join an

EDUCATIONAL DELEGATION TO GUATEMALA, April 12 – April 17, 2009

to learn about …

THE UNJUST GLOBAL “DEVELOPMENT” MODEL,

GOLD MINING, and

INDIGENOUS & HUMAN RIGHTS IN GUATEMALA

After receiving a general overview to the history of Guatemala (focusing on historic repression, genocide and impunity; racism against Mayan peoples; and the unjust economic-“development” model), this delegation will look closely at the operations of North American mining companies: particularly Goldcorp Inc. operating its open pit, cyanide leeching “Marlin” mine in Mayan territories of the department of San Marcos.

This trip will be led by Grahame Russell, co-director of Rights Action.

WHEN: Sunday April 12 – April 17, 2008. Arrive at designated Hotel in Guatemala City, by the afternoon of Sunday, April 12. Leave country on Saturday April 18. If folks want free time in and around Guatemala City, arrive a day or so early, or depart a day or so late.

WHERE: Guatemala City and communities in department of San Marcos.

COST: US$575 (Cdn$675) / person. You are responsible for your own travel to and from Guatemala.

DEADLINE: A.S.A.P. As soon as we get a minimum # of confirmed participants, we will confirm the trip.

FOR WHOM: Anyone concerned about understanding better the unjust global economic order, learning more about Guatemala and about Goldcorp Inc’s gold mine, and about community-based resistance and work for equality, justice and environmental well being.

ITINERARY: During the 5 full days (and 6 nights) in Guatemala, our group will have a series of meetings and events in Guatemala City, and a 4-day, 3-night trip to rural Mayan communities affected by Goldcorp Inc., a Canadian/ U.S. gold and silver mining company, where we will have a community visits and meetings with the mining–affected peoples and communities.

RISKS: Rights Action will have an open discussion with participants about potential risks: crime; health; etc. Participants will sign a waiver, accepting responsibility for what might happen during the trip.

COSTS: US$575 (Cdn$675). This includes: 2 or 3 meals a day for 5 days; lodging for 6 nights; in-country; transportation; translation; guiding; honorariums for local community-based groups that participants visit with. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their travel to and from Guatemala.

= = =

IF INTERESTED, OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: Grahame Russell, info@rightsaction.org, 860-352-2448 .

BACKGROUND: At www.rightsaction.org, you can find extensive information about human rights, environmental and “development” issues in Guatemala, as well as information about Goldcorp Inc’s gold and silver mine that this delegation will focus directly on. Participants on the trip will receive reading materials prior to the delegation.

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January 7-13, 2009: Five Key Indigenous Peoples Issues

Five Important Indigenous People's Issues for the Week of January 7, - 13, 2009


Nigeria: Nicab - Empowering Indigenous Communities

The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDs Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID awarded a grant to the Christian Health Association of Nigeria CHAN and US based Management Sciences for Health MSH.

It is part of the US government's support to civil society organisations CSOs and faith based organisations FBOs and networks to provide HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment services.

The project being implemented with the grant is known as the Nigeria Indigenous Capacity Building Project NICAB. During the bidding process for the grant, the Federation of Muslim Women's Associations of Nigeria FOMWAN was one of numerous CSOs that applied and when CHAN won the bid, the stakeholders decided to work with other network CSOs that applied to ensure that the project reaches the underserved communities in Nigeria. The NICAB project is a joint partnership with Management Sciences for Health and also collaborates with CHAN member institutions and three umbrella organizations to provide high quality HIV/AIDS services to hard to reach People Living with HIV/AIDS PLWHA and their families.

The project aims at strengthening NGOs' ability to respond to HIV/AIDS in their communities by providing quality HIV/AIDS services; and integrating TB and HIV diagnosis and treatment. It hopes to achieve this through three strategic approaches which are; strengthening the capacity of CHAN, developing the capacity of selected NGOs. The NGOs are Civil Society HIV/AIDS Network, CiSHAN, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, NEPHWAN, the Federation of Muslim Women's Associations In Nigeria FOMWAN, and other FBOs mainly CHAN Member Institutions or hospitals. The third approach is building the skills of care providers, volunteers, and community leaders. Read more about Nigerian indigenous communities here....


Australia: Calls For Change To Native Title

FIFTEEN years after the introduction of native title, Aboriginal Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has warned it is a tough and often cruel system in need of urgent reform.

Mr Calma said native title sat at the bottom of the hierarchy of property rights, cases dragged on for years and communities most affected by colonisation were least likely to have their title recognised.

"The result is that the (Native Title) Act today creates a system which offers extremely limited and delayed recognition of native title — it is far from the original intent of the law," Mr Calma said.

While the passing of the Native Title Act in 1993 was a momentous occasion, there was a need for better outcomes, he said. "There is a pressing need for an overarching, system-wide look at reforming the native title system."

Reconciliation Australia co-chairman Fred Chaney said the Act had fundamentally shifted the balance between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians for the first time since colonisation. But governments had taken a narrow and legalistic approach in the great majority of cases, he said.

Native title has been found to exist in about 872,000 square kilometres, about 11 per cent of the total Australian land mass. In Victoria only 1725 square kilometres, or 0.75 per cent of the state, has been declared native title. Read more about Australian Native title change here....


Colombia: Indians Face Down Violence

After word spread across this Indian reservation that seven people had been kidnapped by leftist rebels, the community's unarmed "indigenous guard" sprang into action.

Within minutes, hundreds of men, women and children were out on roads and pathways searching for the hostages, communicating by radio, cellphone and shouts. Many held lanterns that, as the search continued after nightfall, made the rescue party seem an eerily glowing centipede snaking up and down hillsides.

Soon, the guards had found the hostages. The rebels were holding them in a school, which was quickly surrounded by hundreds of Indians, who, lanterns held high, kept a silent vigil. A guerrilla leader threatened violence and fired his weapon into the air, but no one budged.

After a brief standoff, the unarmed Indians secured the hostages' release.

The incident in November was a dramatic example of how many of Colombia's 92 indigenous communities use a common front and an almost Gandhian stance of nonviolence to coexist with, and sometimes prevail over, the rebels, drug traffickers, paramilitary fighters and government soldiers who for decades have battled one another in the country.

"We forbid violence. All we have is the power to convene," Rodrigo Dagua, leader of the Jambalo tribe, said as he held the so-called staff of command, a ceremonial rod that confers authority on its holder. "It's what keeps us alive." Read more about indigenous Colombian struggles here....


International: Draft American Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples Moves Forward

An international human rights declaration geared specifically toward meeting the legal needs of the indigenous peoples of the Americas took a step forward last month when the Organization of American States’ working group in charge of preparing the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples held a special session in Washington.

Around 50 indigenous representatives from the Americas attended the special session Dec. 9-12 at OAS headquarters in the Simón Bolívar Room. The OAS is an international body comparable to the United Nations that consists of 35 nations in the Americas. It is the region’s principal multilateral forum for strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and dealing with shared problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs and corruption, and carries out mandates established by the hemisphere’s leaders. Visit the group’s Web site at www.oas.org.

The working group is involved in final revisions of the text, working out issues related to the process of negotiation, and pinpointing the particular issues unique to the hemisphere’s indigenous peoples that should be reflected in the declaration.

December’s special session was not a negotiating session, but nevertheless presented challenges, said Leonardo Crippa, a Kolla member from Argentina, and staff attorney at the Indian Law Resource Center, which has been participating in the process of developing the American Declaration since its beginning in 1989. The center’s Web site can be viewed at www.indianlaw.org. Read more about the Draft American Declaration here....


Botswana: Talking Musika

The arts, even as government has refused to believe it in the past 42 years, is one of the areas in which the country enjoys a good level of the 'comparative advantage' that the establishment economists speak about with careless conviction.

The arts is an area in which the country boasts the authentic indigenous culture of the Basarwa - and for my adopted wife's sake - the Bakgalagadi, Bakalaka, and several others who will sink into oblivion because they do not enjoy the favour of the Kings of the super tribes.

Culture policy, and everything that has anything to do with the arts, is addressed as an afterthought. Art is treated in the same manner as athletes treat 'rubbing stuff'. It is treated in the same manner as Domkrag regards the Botswana National Front.

Art is treated in the same way as Phakalane housewives treat tea, coffee or Chibuku, only as something to accompany more serious things such as making a fire for the president, passing stupid media laws and posing to the world as if the country functions as something of a democracy. Read more about Botswana indigenous music here....


Last weeks Five Key Indigenous People's Issues can be found here.

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Nominations Sought for Human Rights Heroes: Petra Foundation Invitation

Petra Foundation Invites Nominations of Human Rights Heroes

Deadline: February 12, 2009

Since 1988, the Petra Foundation has worked to identify and honor "unsung heroes" who deserve recognition for their distinctive contributions to the rights, autonomy, and dignity of others.

In addition to awarding fellows a modest financial stipend, the foundation publicizes their innovative models for change, fosters their collaborations, and welcomes them to a network of emerging and experienced leaders working together to build a more just society.

Individuals nominated for a Petra Foundation Award should display "a combination of activism and thought, force of character, independence of judgment, and clarity of expression." The nominee's activities should be devoted either to the cause of racial equality, with special emphasis on Native Americans and people of col- or; to the autonomy of persons, groups, families, and communities; or to freedom of speech, expression, and thought.

The nominee should be someone who is not widely recognized, who does not have personal privilege or a strong institutional base of support, and who has demonstrated a capacity to grow, overcome obstacles, and make a significant contribution to human freedom by leading, teaching, or otherwise helping others.

Nominations should be submitted without the knowledge of the nominees. Most Petra Fellows work in the United States. Individuals interested in submitting a foreign nomination should contact the foundation first.

Visit the Petra Foundation Web site for complete program guidelines.

RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15016375/petrafdn

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National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center: Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum

Native American Indian Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum

Now Open: The National Congress of American Indian Policy Research Center is currently accepting proposals for the 4th Annual Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum on June 16, 2009 at the NCAI Mid-Year Session in Niagara Falls, NY.

For a full description of the Forum’s format, audiences, and instructions on how to submit a proposal, please click here.

What is the Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum? Since 2006, the NCAI Policy Research Center annually invites scholars and organizations conducting research with practical implications for tribal communities to submit proposals to present their research at the NCAI Mid-Year Session held in June. Scholars (both Native and non-Native), institutions, and tribal organizations may apply. Proposals from Tribal Colleges, Native Ph.D. students, and tribal communities are encouraged. Research from all disciplines and fields are considered, but in 2009 preference will be given to research proposals that address law enforcement/public safety, natural resources management, strategies for strengthening tribal governance, or tribal intergovernmental relationships.

This Forum allows eight selected researchers to share their work broadly throughout Indian Country, specifically targeting tribal policymakers. It also offers a forum for dialogue between tribal representatives and researchers, providing feedback to researchers about the implications, impact, and potential next steps of their work.

If you have additional questions, please contact Christina Daulton, Program Manager, at (202) 466-7767 or email at cdaulton@ncai.org.

The following are abstracts and PowerPoint presentations from prior- year Forums. Abstracts and presentations are grouped by presentation year and research focus.

3rd Annual Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum
2nd Annual Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum
1st Annual Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum

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Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Steps to Adoption

An international human rights declaration geared specifically toward meeting the legal needs of the indigenous peoples of the Americas took a step forward last month when the Organization of American States’ working group in charge of preparing the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples held a special session in Washington.

Around 50 indigenous representatives from the Americas attended the special session Dec. 9-12 at OAS headquarters in the Simón Bolívar Room. The OAS is an international body comparable to the United Nations that consists of 35 nations in the Americas. It is the region’s principal multilateral forum for strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and dealing with shared problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs and corruption, and carries out mandates established by the hemisphere’s leaders.

The working group is involved in final revisions of the text, working out issues related to the process of negotiation, and pinpointing the particular issues unique to the hemisphere’s indigenous peoples that should be reflected in the declaration.

December’s special session was not a negotiating session, but nevertheless presented challenges, said Leonardo Crippa, a Kolla member from Argentina, and staff attorney at the Indian Law Resource Center, which has been participating in the process of developing the American Declaration since its beginning in 1989.

“In negotiating sessions we usually negotiate the language that will be in the text of the American Declaration, but this time even though there were no negotiations there were some challenges, for instance, the identification of the particularities of the region that this American Declaration should reflect. That was challenging because we needed to reach some sort of agreement between the indigenous representatives and the state representatives,” Crippa said.

There is consensus among the indigenous representatives, but one of the major challenges has been to get the U.S. government under the Bush administration to ratify any human rights treaty. The U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia were the only four nations that voted against adoption of the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 13, 2007.

Read more about the Draft American Declaration here.

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