UPDATE: United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, May 14, 2007

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Sixth Session

Monday, May 14, 2007

On Monday, May 14, 2007, the sixth United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) opened in New York. The theme for this year’s gathering is “Lands, Territories, & Resources”. Over 2,500 Indigenous Peoples, NGOs, and other registered to attend the gathering which will adjourn on May 25.

I am attending the UNPFII on behalf of the International Indian Treaty Council to document the proceedings of the meeting for the organization. IITC is the first organization of Indigenous Peoples to be recognized as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1977. The work of IITC focuses on “building Indigenous Peoples’ participation in key U.N. fora.” Other IITC delegates include Head of Delegation, Francisco (Pancho) Cali (IITC Board President), Andrea Carmen (IITC Executive Director), Bill Means (IITC, Board Member), Ron Lameman (IITC Board Member), Tony Gonzales (IITC, Staff), Myron Lameman (IITC, Youth Delegate), Tom Goldtooth (IEN), Faith Gemmhill (REDOIL-IEN), Claire Charters (Maori), Kim Smith (Black Mesa Water Coalition), Wahleah Johns (Black Mesa Water Coalition), & Milio Yellowhair (Oglala Lakota).

The UNPFII is a standing UN organ, made of experts whose main responsibility is to advise the UN system through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on issues “related to the situation of Indigenous Peoples’, to promote cooperation and coordination and indigenous issues and to raise awareness about individual issues. Indigenous participation is central to the UNPFII as they bring the voices of Indigenous Peoples’ worldwide to Nation-States and the United Nations.

This year marks the end of term for all of the members of the UNPFII and the welcoming of a new group of experts to continue the work. The following individuals will begin their 3-year term in 2008: Mr. Hassan Id Balkassm (Morocco), Ms. Margaret Lokawua (Uganda), Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz (Philippines), Mr. Lars-Anders Baer (Sweden), Ms. Elisa Canqui Mollo (Bolivia), Mr. Pavel Sulyandziga (Russian Federation), Ms. Tonya Gonella Frischner (United States of America) and Mr. Michael Dodson (Australia).

Victoria Tauli-Corpuz (Tebtebba Foundation), was selected as the Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on Monday and the session was opened by Traditional Chief of the Onondaga Nation, Tracy Shenandoah. This was followed by statements from high-level UN officials including the President of the General Assembly, H. E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa; the Under- Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Coordinator of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, Mr. José Antonio Ocampo; President of the Economic and Social Council, H.E. Ambassador Dalius Ekuolis; and President of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Luis de Alba. A cultural performance was also made by LAIHUI, a traditional classical music troupe from Manipur.

Of particular interest to many of the delegates were the comments made by Mr. Alba regarding the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, a U.N. body whose future has been uncertain with the reorganization of the United Nations. He mentioned the possibility of having an indigenous expert component within the Advisory Group of the Human Rights Council. He also encouraged the Permanent Forum to reflect on the mandate of both the Permanent Forum and the WGIP to take into account duplication and opportunities for complementary work between the two bodies. It is unclear whether the WGIP will take place in 2007.

Monday’s session was followed by a Cultural Celebration hosted by the North American Region Indigenous Peoples Caucus. I have posted a few photos from the opening session, a side event sponsored by IITC and the Monday evening Cultural Celebration.

In solidarity –

Alyssa

Alyssa Macy, reporting on behalf of the International Indian Treaty Council. This blog can be viewed on the Treaty Council myspace, Alyssa Macy’s myspace, and the Indigenius Media website under blogs.







| Traditional Chief of the Onondaga Nation, Eel Clan, Mr. Tracy L. Shenandoah, opened the sixth United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues |





| Cultural performance by LAIHUI, a traditional classical music troupe from Manipur |







IITC sponsored a film Screening of the work-in-progress video “Discussions on the UN Decade on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” produced by Rebecca Sommers. The 45 minute video discusses the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and can currently be viewed on the Earth Peoples website. The screening was followed by a panel discussion and dialogue with attendees on the Draft and its current status within the United Nations.


| Faith Gemmill with Carrie Dann, opens video screening |





| Ms. Ida Nicolaisen (UNPFII Member, Denmark), Les Malezer (Chair of Indigenous Peoples Caucus on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), Jorge Skinner-Klee (Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the UN), & Julian Berger (United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Human Rights) |











| Tonya Gonnella-Fishner co-MC’d the Cultural Celebration |





| Andrea Carment, Executive Director, International Indian Treaty Council |





| Silver Cloud drum group (NYC), opened and closed the Cultural Celebration |





| Shannon Water (Gila River Indian Community), Tupac Enrique (Tonatierra ), & Tom Goldtooth (Indigenous Environmental Network) take in the events |





| Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, explains poster featuring the Hau de no sau nee wampum belt |





| Mohawk youth, Eiotonnis, holds Nation’s flag |





| Buddhist Monks from Tibet |





| Mark Franco, Headman of Winnemem Wintu Tribe & Caleen Sisk-Franco, Spiritual Traditional Leader, share a song |





| Myron Lameman, IITC Youth Delegate from the Cree Nation, Canada, is filming throughout the UNPFII6 |





| Saami youth, Celeste McKay (Native Women’s Association of Canada), & Andrea Carmen watch performers |