an ngo in consultative status with ecosoc
american
indian law alliance
to hear the voices of our people, even unto the SEVENTH generation
World's Indigenous Peoples
The Declaration on the Rights of the World's
Indigenous Peoples
in .pdf format
The Working Group on Indigenous Populations, established in 1982, was given, as a part of its mandate, to develop standards relating to the rights of Indigenous peoples. To meet the responsiblity of this mandate, the Working Group began work on what is now known as the Draft Delcaration on the Rights of the World's Indigenous Peoples. The document, drafted in consultation with literally thousands of representatives of Indigenous nations, peoples and organizations, was completed in 1993 and passed by the Subcommission in 1994 (the document is now often referred to as the Subcommission text). This was the beginning of the approval process for acceptance in the international realm of human rights standards. Since 1994, the document has been stuck in the Open-Ended InterSessional Working Group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Opposed by some states for its strong stance on self-determination, rights to lands, territories and resources and treaty issues, the Subcommission text is considered by most Indigneous nations and peoples to be the minimum acceptable standard on Indigneous peoples' rights. (More information on the situation in the Intersessional Working Group can be found in the Report on the 10th Session.)
It is not unrealistic to say that the Declaratoin on the Rights of the Worlds' Indigenous Peoples is probably the single most important document of post-Columbian times. It addresses the specific and unique situation of Indigenous peoples, our histories with colonizing nations, the responsiblities and obligations we feel towards our own lands and cultures, and the rights that have so often been wrested from us in violent and shameful ways. It covers many aspects of Indigenous life and philosophy including language, arts, culture, family, clanship, legal authority, treaties, arts, education, resources, relationships to land and territories and, of course, self-determination. Although this particular road to justice has been slow, painful and dangerous for many of our brothers and sisters, we are committed to the process and the approval of a Declaration that will honor the work of our ancestors and leave a powerful tool in defending our rights for the generations still to come.
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