Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples*
May 10-21, 2004 United Nations, New York

After a century of seeking recognition by the nations of the world, the indigenous peoples of the world were granted status at the United Nations in 2001. In 2002, the first ever Indigenous Peoples Forum was held at the United Nations.

On May 10, 2004, the Permanent Forum opened its third session focusing on indigenous women. More than 1000 participants from over 500 indigenous groups worldwide attended. Secretary General Kofi Annan stated that even though Indigenous Peoples have made striking progress over the past decade, they continue to suffer from prejudice and are often victims of conflicts and forced to relocate from their lands.

He urged the UN, governments, NGOs, the private sector and indigenous peoples themselves to form partnerships to promote development, human rights and peace. The Secretary General also emphasized the need to form partnerships in the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals to ensure, in particular, that the rights of indigenous women are promoted and protected.

Franciscans International was represented by Wyatt Matthews, an intern from the New York office of F.I. and Bernadette Sullivan, SFP, member of the NGO sub Committee for the Elimination of Racism. FI submitted a statement to the Forum, a copy of which can be obtained from the FI office in New York, or the web site. www.franciscansinternational.org

Colorfully dressed and speaking various languages, the indigenous peoples were a witness to the diversity and beauty of God's creation. Unlike the General Assembly. which starts with a moment of silence when it convenes each October, each session of the Forum was begun with a prayer recited by a different group. These prayers always began by thanking the Creator and all of the creatures on whom we depend for life and welcoming all those present. Among those I met were the Saami, the original people of what is now Scandinavia, the Maasai from Kenya, indigenous from Brazil, Australia, Taiwan, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and others.

Empowering Indigenous Peoples, Especially Women
The Latin American women's group stated that they were the least of all and that their protection depends on the gods, not on governments. They said women struggle for peace and will die for life, while men war because of their love of power.

Speaking on behalf of the Rio Group, the representative of Brazil noted the long road that had been traveled in drawing world attention to indigenous rights. He urged States to make needed compromises and adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It was vital to increase the economic and cultural participation of women, and ensure that they were protected against violence. Political, civil and development rights should be guaranteed for indigenous peoples, and more effort should be made to improve their education and training.

Other speakers during the discussions noted that indigenous women still suffered from oppression, subordination, and patriarchal gender orders in their homes, communities and state institutions. To resolve that imbalance, several participants stressed that indigenous women should be integrated into all levels of decision-making, recognized as vital contributors to development, ensured equal access to education and resources, and provided with security during armed conflicts.

Participants observed that indigenous peoples had made some progress over the past decade, but still suffered from prejudice, marginalization, poverty and armed conflicts. Several emphasized the immediate need to complete the draft Declaration on Indigenous Rights and to ensure greater respect for indigenous lands, resources, languages and cultures.

Other participants underscored the importance of protecting the environment and preserving biological diversity, promoting an educational system that incorporated indigenous knowledge, languages and preserving traditional medicinal practices.

Each group prioritized self-determination and the right to land and development. They insisted that nations must comply with international law and treaties. They urged those who have not signed to sign the Conventions on the Rights of the Child, Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Kyoto Protocol for the Environment, the ratification of the International Criminal Court and many others. They also warned the group not to allow culture to be used as an excuse for violence against women.

Language Is a Key to Culture
An expert on language advised us that education has a social and cosmological basis. Language is a key to culture. Understanding of our world is deeply rooted in our language. When education is not inculturated, the child will be indoctrinated into the dominant system and leave the community of origin. Most indigenous children are taught in the language of the dominant culture.

Research proves that they do poorly in school; whereas those taught first in their own language, do best. If forced to learn two languages at once, they tend to learn each poorly. The mother tongue should come first and dominant tongue later. Many speakers insisted on this viewpoint. Ecology, freedom and equality of life grow with education in one's heritage. Collective rights are nurtured and culture is sustained.

Indigenous peoples have great wealth in natural resources which they know how to use and sustain. Where land has been taken from them, they have been impoverished and in need of outside help.

There were many side events to choose from. Providentially one of these was on the Women of Israel and Palestine, which Sister Grace Miriam Pleiman attended. This was helpful to her as she was preparing to go to Hebron with the Christian Peacemakers Team.

It was recommended that a workshop on "migration of indigenous women" be held to highlight the urgency and scale of that issue with a focus on the trafficking of indigenous women. The Commission on Human Rights should appoint a rapporteur to study genocidal and ethnocidal practices against indigenous peoples.

Fourth Forum Theme - 2005
This Forum decided that the theme for 2005 will be "The United Nation's Millennium Development Goals and Indigenous Peoples", with emphasis on the Goals related to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger and the achievement of universal primary education.

Sister Bernadette Sullivan, SFP
*Nb. The Indigenous insist on the plural term Peoples because they are not one but many distinct peoples.

For background information on the Permanent Forum, see Press Release HR/4741 of 4 May 2004. www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/hr4741.doc.htm

The Millennium Development Goals can be found at www.un.org Click on Text Version and you will see the 8 Millennium Development Goals and the stage of their implementation by various Nations.

SFP Action : Study the Millennium Development Goals and discern what you can do locally to help these goals be achieved.

Discover who are the "Indigenous Peoples" in your geographical area and learn how they are doing.