In Honor of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples…

TODAY August 9th 2010, marks the 17th annual International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples represents an effort to further strengthen international cooperation in solving the problems faced by Indigenous communities in areas such as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development.

Help us honor this day: Call on President Obama to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) now!

Indigenous Peoples are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable peoples in the world. They continue to suffer persistent and widespread discrimination and other grave human rights violations. Past and ongoing colonization and land and resource dispossession have resulted in their impoverishment. The plight of indigenous peoples has most recently been captured in this beautiful photo exhibit created by Dana Gluckstein.

In the United States, nearly 24% of Indigenous persons live in poverty. And Native women in the U.S. are particularly vulnerable – more than one in three Native American and Alaska Native women will be raped in their lifetime and face rates of sexual violence 2.5 times greater than that of women in general in the U.S.  Read Amnesty’s 2007 Maze of Injustice report for more information about the situation facing Native American and Alaska Native women in the United States.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a non-legally binding human rights instrument which affirms universal minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well being of all Indigenous Peoples. It recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples, as both a collective and as individuals, to fully enjoy their basic human rights – including Indigenous cultural rights and identity and the right to education, health, employment, and language. The UNDRIP publicly opposes discrimination against Indigenous Peoples and promotes their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them.

In 2007, the UNDRIP was adopted by the United Nations after a vote by the overwhelming majority of states. The United States was one of four countries, along with Australia, Canada and New Zealand, that voted against the Declaration. However, earlier this year the Administration announced that it was formally reviewing the U.S. position on the Declaration – voice your support and let President Obama know you want to see the U.S. endorse the UNDRIP now!

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12 thoughts on “In Honor of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples…

  1. In respond to the rights of indigenous people in United states and other part of the world,it is for the best interest of president Obama and all Americans to honour the ethics of United Nations Human rights Act which gives equality to the fundamental rights and equal opportunities to every mankind irrespective of origin,colour or background.The human rights ethics do no differentiate all these man mad laws that deprive some group of there fundamental rights,it's high time for the world to know that the difference between mankind is just the thing of the mind,,it's only when the blood group could be regrouped to different colour and origin that mankind have the right to descriminate against one another,we came through the same precess of birth,breath the same air,eat the same food,share the same blood group and die the same death.Democracy is all about equal opportunity to every mankind,Americans should practice what they preach to the world,enough is enough.

  2. In respond to the rights of indigenous people in United states and other part of the world,it is for the best interest of president Obama and all Americans to honour the ethics of United Nations Human rights Act which gives equality to the fundamental rights and equal opportunities to every mankind irrespective of origin,colour or background.The human rights ethics do no differentiate all these man mad laws that deprive some group of there fundamental rights,it’s high time for the world to know that the difference between mankind is just the thing of the mind,,it’s only when the blood group could be regrouped to different colour and origin that mankind have the right to descriminate against one another,we came through the same precess of birth,breath the same air,eat the same food,share the same blood group and die the same death.Democracy is all about equal opportunity to every mankind,Americans should practice what they preach to the world,enough is enough.

  3. Dear Angela,
    My name is Pedro Oliveira. I am a Portuguese psychologist and anthropologist. I have just come across this blog and your post. I would like to tell you about my project. 'Chains' is a blog-project on applied anthropology and digital activism. Our history is documented in this blog and in a Facebook page with the same name. This project aims to give everyone a chance of creating a narrative of difference informed by the ideas and methods of anthropologists. Chain-Blogging involves the creation of a network of interrelated blogs across countries of people learning about diversity by face to face encounters and sharing their stories online. You will find me here: http://chainsofdifference.blogspot.com.
    Best Regards, Pedro

  4. Dear Angela,
    My name is Pedro Oliveira. I am a Portuguese psychologist and anthropologist. I have just come across this blog and your post. I would like to tell you about my project. 'Chains' is a blog-project on applied anthropology and digital activism. Our history is documented in this blog and in a Facebook page with the same name. This project aims to give everyone a chance of creating a narrative of difference informed by the ideas and methods of anthropologists. Chain-Blogging involves the creation of a network of interrelated blogs across countries of people learning about diversity by face to face encounters and sharing their stories online. You will find me here: http://chainsofdifference.blogspot.com.
    Best Regards, Pedro

  5. Dear Angela,
    My name is Pedro Oliveira. I am a Portuguese psychologist and anthropologist. I have just come across this blog and your post. I would like to tell you about my project. 'Chains' is a blog-project on applied anthropology and digital activism. Our history is documented in this blog and in a Facebook page with the same name. This project aims to give everyone a chance of creating a narrative of difference informed by the ideas and methods of anthropologists. Chain-Blogging involves the creation of a network of interrelated blogs across countries of people learning about diversity by face to face encounters and sharing their stories online. You will find me here: http://chainsofdifference.blogspot.com.
    Best Regards, Pedro

  6. Dear Angela,
    My name is Pedro Oliveira. I am a Portuguese psychologist and anthropologist. I have just come across this blog and your post. I would like to tell you about my project. ‘Chains’ is a blog-project on applied anthropology and digital activism. Our history is documented in this blog and in a Facebook page with the same name. This project aims to give everyone a chance of creating a narrative of difference informed by the ideas and methods of anthropologists. Chain-Blogging involves the creation of a network of interrelated blogs across countries of people learning about diversity by face to face encounters and sharing their stories online. You will find me here: http://chainsofdifference.blogspot.com.
    Best Regards, Pedro

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  8. I estimate there are tons of people like me, who come across assorted strong blogs or web sites by luck. Your web log appears to feature a great community and a sound blogosphere presence. Its good to have engrossing and assorted views on issues.

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