Statement to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Mr.Chairperson, distinguished Forum members and delegates, ladies and gentlemen,

As National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, I am very pleased to be here to contribute to the work of the Permanent Forum along with our brothers and sisters the world over.

The establishment of the Permanent Forum is a significant development in the international recognition of Indigenous Peoples. It is an opportunity to include and recognize Indigenous Peoples within the UN system.

As a result of colonialism and other forms of cultural oppression, Indigenous Peoples have either been treated as mere objects of international law or excluded altogether. Indigenous Peoples have suffered inexcusable evils of colonialism, from dispossession of our lands and resources, racism, environmental degradation of our lands, and suppression of our cultures and languages.

However, since the seminal study of Special Rapporteur de Cobo and the establishment of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982, much has been accomplished. The Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the establishment of this Permanent Forum are both outstanding examples of this progress. Both are part of an evolving process of inclusion and recognition of Indigenous Peoples as subjects of international law - as equal members of the human family.
Indigenous Peoples must not be victims anymore. They must participate at all economic, social, developmental and cultural levels in order to fully benefit from existing and future UN programs.

The ability of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups to effectively participate in local decision-making processes will determine whether or not the needs and interests for these groups will be addressed through public policy, which is the premise of the activity launched by UN-HABITAT, "The Global Campaign on Urban Governance".

The Permanent Forum is an important venue for Indigenous Peoples to participate in as equals, and to participate in our own right within the United Nations system.

While the Permanent Forum's work will, of course, be informed by the full array of international human rights standards developed by the UN, we, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples suggest the Forum identify some general principles to guide its future work based on these standards and informed by an Indigenous perspective:

1. The equality of all human beings as individuals and as peoples;
2. A commitment to anti-racism;
3. A commitment to gender equality;
4. A commitment to identifying actions that can be taken to address the negative impacts of colonialism, racism and sexism on Indigenous Peoples;
5. The importance of recognizing and respecting the spiritual relationship of Indigenous Peoples to the earth;
6. The importance of adopting a holistic view of human rights - this means, for example, situating the right to development of all peoples in a larger context of respect for the earth and all living things.

In addition to these general principles, we offer the following recommendations for the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to consider:

1. A study of the impact of State definitions of Indigenous Peoples on the social, cultural and other human rights of Indigenous Peoples

We know that many states have tried to define Indigenous Peoples for various policy objectives. Often these attempts to legally define Indigenous Peoples have negative impacts on our fundamental human rights. The Permanent Forum should take on the responsibility of examining this important issue.

2. Development of recommendations on how to improve and build relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the various UN agencies.

The UN and its agencies have taken a growing interest in the situation of Indigenous Peoples. These efforts are to be commended. However, there is a need to examine how the actions and programmes of diverse entities within the UN system relate to one another and how much Indigenous Peoples actually know about them.

The Permanent Forum as it continues its work following this session, is in a unique position to examine and explain what has taken place so far, and how the UN system might better work towards the improvement of the social, cultural, economic and political development of Indigenous Peoples.

3. Development and implementation of an information program aimed at Indigenous Peoples.

We believe that few Indigenous People at the community level are aware of what the UN does and represents. There is a need for an information program aimed at young Indigenous Peoples, that takes into account our diversity, which would raise awareness among our peoples about UN programs and actions as well as international human rights standards and how all of these relate to Indigenous Peoples.

To conclude Mr. Chairperson, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples believes in this Permanent Forum and we look forward to contributing to the ongoing work of the Permanent Forum in the years to come. We are here, we want to participate, contribute, and benefit.

Wela'lin, and thank you.