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Russia: Indigenous peoples reject Evenki hydroelectric dam
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7 December 2009
There can be only one conclusion – this project is impossible. This was the unanimous verdict reached by the participants of the round table “Evenki Hydropower Station: to be or not to be…” that was held November, 27, in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. The event was organized by the Russian Association of the Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East together with the Public Chamber.
Representatives of the federal government and the authorities of Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russian and foreign experts, representatives of NGOs, the academic community and the indigenous peoples of Evenkia had been invited to the hearing on the highly controversial project, which threatens to cause mass involuntary resettlement of indigenous peoples living at the Lower Tunguska river.
 Read more (raipon.info)
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USA: UN Special Rapporteur on housing publishes preliminary findings on visit to Pine Ridge
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16 November 2009
UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing Raquel Rolnik has publisehd the preliminary findings on her recent US visit, during which she also examined the situation in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Ms. Rolnik’s preliminary recommendations include: “Significantly increased funding is required for Native American housing on the reservations”, “Culturally appropriate housing models are required ...for Native American housing, for example the cultural adequacy of cluster housing has been questioned.” She also recommended that, “The US should ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)”.
Download preliminary findings (MS Word)
UN Press Release: "Millions lack access to affordable and adequate housing in the U.S." |
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USA: Obama addresses summit of American Indian Tribes
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7 November 2009
Looking to end decades of government negligence of Native people, President Barack Obama spoke Nov. 5 to tribal leaders gathered from across the nation for the White House Tribal Nations Conference. The conference, which was held in Washington, D.C., at the Department of the Interior, gave tribal leaders a chance to interact with Obama and his administration and gave the president a chance to present his agenda as it relates to Native people. The event also gave the president a chance to tout his achievements so far in fulfilling campaign promises he made to tribes across the country.
Read more (Indian Country Today)
President’s remarks and Q&A at Conference (Indian Country Today)
National Congress of American Indians
Obama's address on video (cspan.org)
Obama ushers in a new era for Indian country (Indian Country Today)
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UN Committee on Civil and Political Rights concludes consideration of Russia
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2 November 2009
On 29 October, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the body which monitors the state parties' compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights published an advance version of its concluding observations on the Russian Federation. The document is based on the consideration of Russia's 6th periodic report to the committee, which took place October 15-16 in Geneva. In several of its recommendations, the committee addresses restrictions and repression that non-governmental organisations are subjected to. With regard the indigenous peoples, the committee notes its concern about several key threats, such as the removal of legal guarantees to land and resources, the granting of licenses over fishing grounds traditionally used by indigenous peoples to private businesses and the impact of the dismantling of formerly autonomous territories inhabited by indigenous peoples such as Evenkia, Koryakia and Taimyr . It requests that The State party should provide, in its next periodic report, detailed information on the impact of these measures upon the traditional habitat, way of life and economic activities of indigenous peoples in the State party as well as on their enjoyment of rights guaranteed under article 27 of the Covenant.
Concluding observations on the Russian Federation, see par. 28 for indigenous peoples (MS Word)
Full documentation of 97 Session of HRC
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USA: UN Special Rapporteur on Housing visits Pine Ridge Reservation
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1 November 2009
Today, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing will do something only one sitting U.S. president ever has done: Visit the sprawling and impoverished Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Rapporteur Raquel Rolnik is visiting as part of a tour of some of America's worst housing, from New York and Los Angeles to post-Katrina New Orleans to the slums of Chicago to Pine Ridge. Pine Ridge, an 11,000-square-mile reservation of almost 20,000 people, stands tantalizingly within sight of the rich Black Hills. Torturously may be a more apt word: The Black Hills, according to a 1980 Supreme Court ruling, were stolen from the Lakota Sioux tribes now confined to the arid plains beside their old homeland.
Press release by the International Indian Treaty Council
Rapid City Journal: U.N. takes testimony on inadequate housing on reservations
Commentary by the Star Tribune |
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Climate change in Russia's Arctic tundra: 'Our reindeer go hungry. There isn't enough pasture'
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20 October 2009
For 1,000 years the indigenous Nenets people have herded their reindeer along the Yamal peninsula. But their survival in this remote region of north-west Siberia is under serious threat from climate change as Russia's ancient permafrost melts.
Read more (The Guardian) |
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Russia: UN Special Rapporteur visits Krasnoyarsk and Evenkia
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11 October 2009
KRASNOYARSK -- UN special rapporteur on the situation in human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people James Anaya arrived un Russia’s Krasnoyarsk territory on a two-day visit on Sunday. He will visit Evenki settlements and discuss local legislative initiatives in support of indigenous peoples, a source at the territorial administration told Itar-Tass
Read more (ITAR-TASS) |
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UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples visits Russia
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6 October 2009
On 5 October The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples, James Anaya has begun a 12 days official visit to the Russian Federation. During this period, James Anaya will visit the Khanty-Mansi autonomous okrug-Yugra, Khabarovsk krai and Krasnoyarsk krai. During the first two days, he met with representatives of Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry for Regional Development, the State Duma, the Federation Council and RAIPON, the national umbrella organisation of indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East. He will announce preliminary results of his visit at a press conference to be held in Moscow on 16 October. |
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Cree aboriginal group joined protest over tar sands in London
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7 September 2009
In London, representatives of Cree first nations and environmentalists protested against the ongoing exploitation of tar oil sands in Canada. ‘Blame Canada, blame Canada – it seems like everything's gone wrong since the tar sands came along," several hundred South Park -inspired protesters sang outside the Canadian Embassy. “Blame Canada, blame Canada, they're not really a green country any more."
Barely a day after the news that China's national petroleum company has invested $1.9-billion in the mammoth Athabasca oil sands, the demonstrators spent a tumultuous hour outside the embassy, handing out flyers calling on Canada to “respect aboriginal and treaty rights" by shutting the entire project down. The giant banners they carried declared: “Tar sands=dirtiest oil on earth" and “Tar sands oil is blood oil."
The Guardian: "Cree aboriginal group to join London climate camp protest over tar sands"
BP’s “Bloody Petroleum” targeted in protest by indigenous activists and Climate Camp (Press release, Oil Sands Truth) The Globe and Mail: "Not really a green country anymore" |
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USA: Leonard Peltier denied parole
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24 August 2009
The imprisoned Native American activist Leonard Peltier has been denied parole again. The US Parole Commission told the sixty-four-year-old Peltier on Friday that his release would “depreciate the seriousness of [his] offenses” and “promote disrespect for the law.” It was Peltier’s first full parole hearing in fifteen years, and he will not be eligible for parole again until July 2024, at the age of seventy-nine.
Watch or read interview with Peltier's lawyer (Democracy now!)
"Peltier denied parole" (Indian Country Today) |
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Canada: Assembly of First Nations names Atleo chief
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23 July 2009
CALGARY, Alberta – After 22 hours of voting and eight ballots, 41-year-old Ahousaht Hereditary Chief Shawn ‘A-in-chut’ Atleo has been named National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Voting for Canada’s top aboriginal leader began July 22 at 9 a.m., and wasn’t resolved until the following morning. “This was a very long, hard-fought election,” said Atleo, “but it’s nowhere near as difficult as the challenges facing many of our people.”
Read more (The Daily Star) |
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Climate change changing the seasons for Native Alaskans
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23 July 2009
The US National Snow and Ice Data Center says that the rate at which Arctic sea ice is melting has accelerated to 11.7 percent per decade. That is far too fast for Native Americans who live along the Artic ice, on permafrost which is also thawing rapidly.
In a programme aired by North County Public Radio, Environmental biologist Jon Rosales who teaches at St. Lawrence University talks about his experience. He spent this past spring getting a first hand look at effects of climate change in northern Alaska. He visited three villages on the Seward Peninsula – that’s the part of Alaska that reaches west toward Siberia. It’s our end of what used to be the land bridge between the two continents.
Read more (North County Public Radio)
Listen to the programme in external player
Download the programme in mp3 format |
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Norway: Riddu Riđđu Festival 2009 opened
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17 July 2009
The 18th Riddu Riđđu Festival is held this week in Kaafjord, in Northern Norway. The Riddu Riđđu is an international festival for indigenous peoples from across the globe. This year's special guests: Canada's Nisga People. The festival is featuring an extensive program with around 200 artists and 3,000 visitors representing different indigenous and other peoples from across the globe.
read more (The Norway Post) |
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Evenk Dam project backers use new methods and old against opponents
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25 June 2009
In a report posted on the APN.ru portal, Siberian analyst Dmitry Verkhoturov describes how RusHydro, which seeks to build a hydroelectric dam that will flood a major portion of the traditional lands of the Evenks, has launched a three-pronged campaign against that projects increasingly numerous opponents
Read more (eesti.ca) |
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Self-government in Greenland - a reality
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| 22 June 2009 “We woke up with new hope in our hearts” said the new Prime Minister of Greenland, Kuupik Kleist, in his speech on 21st June, the day self-government became a reality in Greenland. “It is as if we woke up to a country covered in new snow and we make the first foot prints in it…” In a referendum in November 2008, Greenlanders voted overwhelmingly for self-government. This allows Greenland, among other issues, to take over responsibility for areas such as criminal justice and oil exploration. Kalaallisut (Greenlandic) becomes the official language of Greenland and Greenlanders are recognised under international law as separate people from Danes. The agreement furthermore allows Greenlandic people to decide whether they will seek independence and when it should be done, if ever. IWGIA wishes Greenland and its new government all the best for the future and the implementation of self-government.
Siku News
The Greenland-Danish Self-Government Commission’s Report on Self-Government in Greenland
Draft Act on Greenland Self-Government
Greenland Self-Government Referendum 2008
From remote island to Self-Government - Greenland’s journey towards independence
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Canada avoids commitment to improve human rights
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9 June 2009
Indigenous Peoples and representative organizations are deeply disappointed by the Government of Canada’s response to an important review of Canada’s human rights record being carried out by the United Nations Human Rights Council. As part of the new Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, UN member states made a wide range of recommendations to Canada in February. Canada’s response, which was publicly released on June 5th, is to be delivered in Geneva today. “As a member and early supporter of the UN Human Rights Council, one would have expected that Canada would have made every effort to make sure its own engagement with the Universal Periodic Review process sets a positive example for other states,” says Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Wilton Littlechild, “Instead, Canada has done its best to avoid making any real commitment for improving human rights on the ground.”
Read more
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Canada: Back on the road to recognition
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9 June 2009
Premier Gordon Campbell’s aboriginal rights project heads into regional sessions with chiefs around B.C., and it’s due to get a rough ride. The first session had an outright rejection by the Squamish Nation, one of the four host first nations of the 2010 Olympics. In a letter to senior chiefs, Squamish Chief Gibby Jacob said “we cannot support the legislative initiative in its current form.” Jacob listed several points summing up main objections from that side.
Read more (bclocalnews.com) |
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Canada: Mohawks continue struggle at border
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5 June 2009
At issue is the arming of Canadian Border Service Agency officers with 9 mm handguns, a policy which was to take effect June 1. Residents of the island, which Mohawks call Kahwehnoke, established a protest site last month near the Canadian customs building and planted signs and nation flags along the road appealing to motorists to “Honk for no guns.” In the last hours of May, the gathering swelled to more than 300 as a small group of CBSA agents voluntarily departed the building minutes before midnight, citing safety concerns.
Read more (indiancountrytoday.com)
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US: Landscape conservation or indigenous peoples?
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3 June 2009
Clash of cultures: The conflict between conservation and indigenous people in wild landscapes. Conservationists have often seen native people as a problem to be solved by eviction. Now both sides are learning mutual respect. These two forces share a goal that is vital to life on earth - a healthy and diverse biosphere. Both are communities of integrity led by some of the most admirable, dedicated people alive. Both care deeply for the planet and together are capable of preserving more biodiversity than any other two groups on it. Yet they have been terribly at odds with one another over the past century or more, violently so at times, mostly because of conflicting views of nature, radically different definitions of "wilderness" and profound misunderstandings of one another's science and culture.
Read more (guardian.co.uk)
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US: Award to Salish Sea project
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1 June 2009
The Coast Salish – U.S. Geological Survey Tribal Journey Water Quality Project was recently recognized with the Department of the Interior’s Partners in Conservation Award for their studies to help restore nearshore marine habitats and ecosystem functions across the Salish Sea. “The Salish Sea ecosystem sustains our indigenous life way as people of the salmon and shoreline,” said Swinomish Chairman Brian Cladoosby. “We say in our lands, when the tide is out, the table is set. Our way of life depends upon a healthy ecosystem that stretches from the mountains to the tidelands. Through the partnerships and project, we have a stronger science and policy capacity to protect the human health of our people, our culture, and aboriginal and treaty rights of our nations.”
Read more (indiancountrytoday.com) |
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U.S.: Obama Urged to Sign Native Rights Declaration
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6 May 2009
UNITED NATIONS, May 6 (IPS) - The United States is considering whether to endorse a major U.N. General Assembly resolution calling for the recognition of the rights of the world’s 370 million indigenous peoples over their lands and resources.
"The position on [this issue] is under review," Patrick Ventrell, spokesperson for the U.S. mission to the U.N., told IPS about the Barack Obama administration’s stance on the non-binding U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read more (InterPressService) |
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Canada: Local native leaders defend act
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21 May 2009
Though it’s still far from being signed into law, B.C.’s Recognition and Reconciliation Act is already seeing opposition rise from both non-native and native groups. The latest salvo comes from the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, which earlier this week issued a press release stating its opposition to the act. It’s taking the position that the B.C. government does not have true authority over these issues and that the draft legislation violates the Canadian Constitution. “The proposed Recognition and Reconciliation Act will only create the impression that the rights and title of the indigenous people of British Columbia are being recognized, but we will inevitably be pushed into non-existence by its principles,” said Chief Wayne Christian, spokesman for the SNTC. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, disagrees, saying that the act holds the promise of finally coming to terms with recognizing aboriginal title and beginning the process of reconciling the conflict between that and Crown claims.
Read more (bclocalnews.com) |
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Canada: Huge challenges for First Nations
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17 May 2009
The leader of the Northwest Rebellion, Louis Riel, was taken into custody 124 years ago this month. His surrender - on May 15, 1885 - ended the last major attempt by Canada's indigenous peoples to change their fate by force. Certainly the threat of cultural extinction has been lifted. Canada's aboriginal population recently passed the one million mark and continues to grow, but there are still many challenges. Physical conditions on many reserves are appalling. Housing is shoddy, meaningful jobs are few. Public facilities, such as libraries and community colleges, are scarce or non-existent. And those are only the material measures of well-being. The psychological indicators point to an even grimmer reality. Suicide rates among native youngsters are five to eight times the national average. Substance abuse and alcoholism have reached epidemic levels. More than 40 per cent of the country's aboriginal children have only one parent at home.
Read more (Times Colonist) |
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Cree people. Photo: Josée Duranleau
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Arctic Groups Demand Global Chemicals' Ban
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8 May 2009
UNITED NATIONS - Environmental groups and indigenous rights activists are calling for the White House and U.S. Congress to ratify an international treaty against the use and production of certain hazardous chemicals. "Time is running out. The Congress has to take a stand and fight for the lives of the contaminated people and environment of the North," said Andrea Carmen, executive director of the International Indian Treaty Council. Carmen and other activists, who are attending international talks on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Geneva this week, say they have grave concerns about the impact of toxic chemicals on the health of native communities - especially those living in far northern parts of the globe.
Read more (OneWorld.net) |
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Alaskan children in traditional Athabascan dress. Photo by: toddraden (flickr) |
Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic
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April 2009
Issues of sovereignty and sovereign rights in the Arctic have become inextricably linked to issues of self-determination in the Arctic. Inuit and Arctic states must, therefore, work together closely and constructively to chart the future of the Arctic. "A Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Sovereignty in the Arctic" was adopted by Inuit Circumpolar Council and is an important step in that direction.
Read the declaration (itk.ca) |
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Alaska: Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change
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22 - 24 April 2009
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - Around 200 indigenous representatives from the whole world were gathered in Anchorage, Alaska, from April 20-24 to discuss the impacts of climate change on their communities, and to agree on a common agenda for the 2009 negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Prior to the Global Summit, regional Summits had taken place in Asia, Africa and Latinamerica, and the reports of these meetings were presented along with reports form other regions during the Summit’s first days. The statements on how the effects of climate change are undermining indigenous livelihoods, cultures, and social systems in all corners of the world, were very powerful. On the Second and Third days Working Groups discussed the substance of engagement with the negotiation process under the UNFCCC. All this resulted in the Anchorage Declaration, which outlines indigenous peoples’ joint position on key issues that are currently negotiated under the Convention, including emission reduction, fossil fuel development, forest conservation under the so-called REDD-initiatives, alternative energy production, food security, etc. The Anchorage Declaration also outlines demands for establishment of formal structures and mechanisms under the Convention to ensure full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in the negotiations. On the last day, the outcome of the meeting was handed over to UN General Assembly President Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann, who promised to bring the messages from the summit to the UN General Assembly.
Anchorage Declaration (pdf)
Report from Africa Summit (doc)
Nakuru declaration from African Summit (doc)
Read more (juneauempire.com)
Read more (adn.com) |
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Photo by BILL ROTH / Anchorage Daily News |
Sapmi: The 4th World Reindeer Herders Congress
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29 March - 3 April.
The reindeer herders of the World are continuously facing new challenges. The biggest challenge is protection against losing pastures due to the development of roads, infrastructure, military activities, power lines, pipelines, dams, leisure, homes and related activities. A study carried out by Ingunn Ims Vistnes from the NORUT Alta research centre shows that the impact of infrastructure development and human activity creates a lot of stress for reindeer. It changes the behaviour pattern of the reindeer and they stay 3-5 kilometres away from such areas. This means reindeers are very vulnerable to impact on their pastureland.
Read more (pdf) |
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Canadian Government Ignores Indigenous rights
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1st April 2009
"Canada doesn't take Indigenous peoples' rights seriously and has demonstrated no respect for their reliance on their traditional lands. Canada would not sign the United Nations International Declaration on Indigenous Peoples' Rights and now Canada won't push companies doing business abroad to ensure they don't run roughshod over people and their environments," said Lorraine Rekmans, Aboriginal Affairs Critic, Green Party of Canada.
Read more from press release (pdf) |
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Canada: Bill to ensure consistency with Declaration
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22nd February 2009
Suzanne Jasper, director of First Peoples Human Rights Coalition, says the article repeats quotes from a Canadian MP which are misleading and untrue. She criticizes the article in the following way: "It is extremely disappointing that the same false claims made even before the adoption of the "UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" continue to be repeated publicly [..]".
Read more (pdf) Images of mouldy housing and stories of Third World conditions on B.C. First Nations reserves, highlighted in a recent Times Colonist series, underline the need for Canada to protect the rights of First Nations, says Victoria New Democrat MP Denise Savoie. On Thursday, Savoie will reintroduce a private member's bill in the House of Commons that would require the federal government to "take all measures necessary" to ensure that Canadian laws are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Read the article (Times Colonist) |
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Denise Savoie says she was horrified at poor conditions. |
Canada - a National Disgrace
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12th February 2009
Less than one hour away from the tourist attractions and expensive resorts of Tofino is B.C.'s version of a Third World ghetto, where crumbling homes flank muddy, dirt roads and several generations pack in under one roof because of the shortage of habitable housing. Ahousaht is an extreme example of the housing misery that plagues many First Nations reserves across Canada.
Read more
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Shirley John, 70, talks
about her house,
which had problems. |
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