Saturday, June 1, 2013

North American Indigenous Peoples Caucus Statement on HLP/WCIP 2014

Video of Intervention
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
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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] 

2. b) That we have and confirm the inalienable right to and of self-determination as recognized in various international instruments (the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1 of the Human Rights Covenants, and U.N. Resolution 1514), including Article 3 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as our rights to our lands, territories, resources, treaties, languages and cultures.

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.

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.




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