The UNPFII this year, held in New York at the United Nations headquarters, focused on the theme of “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Rights to Self-determination in the Context of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Emphasizing the Voices of Indigenous Youth.” This theme was crucial to the discussions on the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum, which are closely tied to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Forum took place from the 15th to the 26th of April.
The above paragraph is probably clear, yet some may wonder, ‘What is that’? Finally, I will give references for those who want to know more about the underlined.
The six mandated areas, the focus of the Forum’s discussions, are intricately linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), amplifying the impact of our deliberations.
Our office at VIVAT International (VI) in New York has consistently participated in the Permanent Forum for many years, and 2024 was no different. Our preparations and collaborations with other faith-based and civil society organizations in New York and worldwide began as early as September 2023, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to this cause.
In New York, we worked closely with the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (NGODRIP) and the Amazon subcommittee of the Mining Working Group (ASC-MWG). Working with many others, individuals, and organizations from different parts of the world has allowed all to be more directly and closely involved in bringing Indigenous Peoples issues to the United Nations. As a result, we prepared some side and parallel events held during the forum with Indigenous and others from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Panama, West Papua, the Philippines, and others. Some of these events were held in situ, while other events were held with those present and with the participation of many others online through Zoom.
The in-person events were to allow those who came to New York to represent their peoples and organizations to express themselves and present their situation, difficulties, and hopes to those of us with more possibility of ongoing advocacy and of taking issues to country representatives (ambassadors and their staff) all year long.
Those events held online allowed for greater participation. I mention one of them: “Indigenous Voices on Self-Determination – Indigenous Youth and Elder Perspectives on Self-determination. Speakers were_
- Lyla June Johnston —Diné (Navajo) – Musician, scholar, environmentalist and educator on Human Ecology
- Sky Road Webb — Coast Miwok – Councilman of self-determined governance of Coast Miwok of Marin, Ca., Chief of Operations – Inter-Tribal Council of California, Inc.
- Krystal Two Bulls —Oglala Lakota and Northern Cheyenne – Executive Director, Honor the Earth
- Wenslaus Fatubun — West Papua Indigenous Elder.
We also had the opportunity to accompany some of the Indigenous peoples who were able to come to New York to meet with and present their situation to Ambassadors, often in their mission offices, including with Archbishop Caccia of the Holy See Mission.
We were busy. We had fun and laughed. Sometimes, we were sad and even cried. But once again, we have established many friendships and will continue to support each other in the hope of creating a better world for those most in need.
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) – The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is an international instrument adopted by the United Nations on September 13, 2007, to enshrine (according to Article 43) the rights that “constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world.” The UNDRIP protects collective rights that may not be addressed in other human rights charters that emphasize individual rights, and it also safeguards the individual rights of Indigenous people. The Declaration is the product of almost 25 years of deliberation by U.N. member states and Indigenous groups.
The first of the UNDRIP’s 46 articles declares that “Indigenous peoples have the right to the full enjoyment, as a collective or as individuals, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms as recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (4) and international human rights law.” The Declaration guarantees the rights of Indigenous peoples to enjoy and practice their cultures and customs, religions, and languages and to develop and strengthen their economies and social and political institutions. Indigenous peoples have the right to be free from discrimination and the right to a nationality.
In Article 3, the UNDRIP significantly recognizes Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination, which includes the right “to determine their political status freely and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.” Article 4 affirms Indigenous peoples’ right “to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their internal and local affairs,” Article 5 protects their right “to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions.” Article 26 states that “Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories, and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired,” it directs states to give legal recognition to these territories. The Declaration does not override the rights of Indigenous peoples contained in their treaties and agreements with individual states, and it commands these states to observe and enforce the agreements.
Read the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples here. Learn more about UNDRIP here.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development—The Global Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seek to end poverty and hunger, realize the human rights of all, achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, and ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.
There is much information on the SDGs on the internet, but I suggest the following as a starting point for those who are interested: https://sdg.iisd.org/
Daniel LeBlanc OMI, VIVAT Team New York and Executive Board member
