Annual UN Indigenous Peoples’ Forum Begins

Todadaho of the Onondaga Nation, giving the Opening Thanksgiving Address at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in the General Assembly Hall on Monday, May 16, 2011. The UN General Secretary, Ban Ki-moon, sits behind him on the podium. (Photo credit: Kenneth Deer)

United Nations (UCTP Taino News) - The 10th Annual United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues opened yesterday at UN Headquarters in New York. More than 1300 delegates are expected to attend the forum over the next two weeks. The Permanent Forum (UNPFII) was established to advance the rights of the estimated 370 million Indigenous Peoples around the world.

This year the UNPFII will focus on reviewing progress made on issues ranging from economic and social development to the environment and ‘free, prior and informed consent’.

In his opening statement to the UNPFII, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon noted that UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – adopted by the General Assembly in September 2007 – finally had the consensus support that it deserved.

“Now we need to make the declaration’s principles a reality,” he said. Mr. Ban also urged participants to raise their “voices” during the forum so that the world can hear about the threats and risks that indigenous communities continue to face.

Vanessa Inarunikia Pastrana, a Borikén Taino attending the UNPFII agreed stating “This is a historic process and our people need to be here so our future generations will know that we did not remain silent on issues important to our survival.”

UCTPTN 05.17.2011

UN Observes International Indigenous Peoples Day

Program Master of Ceremonies Roberto Borrero (Taino) and UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro at the 2009 Observance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. (UN Photo)

United Nations (UCTP Taíno News) – An official observance commemorating the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was held at UN headquarters in New York on Monday. The program was organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, in cooperation with the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the New York Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The theme of the observance at UN Headquarters was "Indigenous Peoples and HIV/AIDS".

The event included messages from the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the UN General Assembly, the Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, and the Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. There were also performances by indigenous artists, and a panel discussion on "Indigenous Peoples and HIV/AIDS".

In his message to mark the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the vulnerability of indigenous peoples to HIV/ AIDS. “It is essential that indigenous peoples have access to the information and infrastructure necessary for detection, treatment and protection,” he noted.

Other observances for the UN Indigenous Day were held around the world with events celebrated in Suriname, Brazil, Northeast India, Nepal, and Geneva among others.

UCTPTN 08.11.2009

Caribbean Indigenous Peoples to Attend UN Forum

United Nations (UCTP Taino News) – Caribbean Indigenous delegates will join over one thousand Indigenous Peoples representatives from around the world at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII) next week. The Forum’s eighth session will take place from 18-29 May, 2009 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Caribbean representatives to the PFII include Damon Corrie of the Eagle Clan Arawaks (Barbados & Guyana), Chief Charles and Margaret Williams of the Kalinago Carib Nation (Dominica) as well as various delegates accredited by the United Confederation of Taino People.

Some of the issues being focused on at the session include the Second UN International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the United Nations Economic and Social Council with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

UCTPTN 05.13.2009

Taino Dancers Commemorate International Day

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society encourage audience participation during their successful presentation at the American Museum of Natural History on August 9th, 2008. The program was co-sponsored by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Secretariat, NGO Committee on the UN International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Tribal Link Foundation, and the United Confederation of Taino People in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. (photo credit: John Kwok)

UCTPTN 08.19.2008

Tourism Destinations Threatened By Global Warming

UCTP Taino News – The OTBeach News site “ProTraveller” has put together a list of 20 popular travel destinations that will change dramatically as the world continues to heat up. The feature notes that while a “few lucky” places may benefit economically from “extra temperature points”, overall a “great number” of places will not be “so lucky”. As many countries around the world depend on tourism to bring in much needed revenue, global warming is set to devastate economies that depend on the allure of their “natural beauty”.

Two Caribbean destinations made ProTraveller’s “list of 20” places set to significantly change due to the current climate crises. The Belize Barrier Reef and the Virgin Islands are identified as being at risk of being lost to the now annual global rise in temperatures.

Designated as a World Heritage Site, the Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the Caribbean and one of the largest coral reefs in the world second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It is one of the biggest tourist’s attractions for Belize and it is already suffering climate related damage despite protections.

“The global climate crises is a reality” stated Roberto Mukaro Borrero, a representative of the United Confederation of Taino People. “Our elders have been noting serious changes in the environment for years but most governments are not taking the wisdom of local people seriously or including them in regional plans to mitigate this crisis.”

Borrero was part of a delegation of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples who spoke out on climate change at the United Nations recently during the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Made up of indigenous leaders from Dominica, Barbados, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, the delegation worked together at the UN under the auspices of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean. In a special session entitled “Climate Change and Biological Diversity: A Caribbean First Nations Perspective” the group highlighted links between climate change and tourism, as well as human rights issues.

As mandated by international frameworks such as the Barbados Plan of Action, the Caucus called for great inclusion of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples in all processes that affect them especially with regard to the environment and climate change.

Photo: The coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries.

UCTPTN 05.14.2008

Caribbean Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations

UCTP Taino News (United Nations) - The Seventh Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 21 April to 2 May 2008. The special theme will be "Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges." This year’s PFII theme is especially relevant to Caribbean Indigenous Peoples, many of whom from Small Island Developing States that are increasingly affected by the global climate crises.

In an effort to ensure Caribbean voices at the session, the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) is again facilitating administrative services and program coordination for delegates planning to participate within the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean (IPCGC) at UN Forum.

UCTP representative Roberto Mukaro Borrero states “Our presence here at the United Nations has without question increased the visibility of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples.” He continued “We are beginning to see more agencies taking a closer look at the region for possible inclusion within their programs.”

Indeed, as a result of interventions made at previous sessions, UNICEF coordinated a precedent-setting regional meeting focusing on “Caribbean Indigenous and Maroon Children” in June 2007. Representatives of indigenous organizations and communities including the UCTP were invited to participate in this special session that took place in Georgetown, Guyana.

The Convention on Biological Diversity has also increased participation of Caribbean representatives a move Naniki Reyes Ocasio of the Caney Quinto Mundo hailed as a “significant step forward” considering the vulnerable situation of small island states. Reyes Ocasio - a respected Taíno community leader from Puerto Rico - also stressed that the next step is for the agencies to “get serious about capacity building in the region including Puerto Rico.”

“This year is important to us as it is our 10 year anniversary and our advocacy on behalf of Caribbean Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations has been a major focus” stated Borrero. “Twenty years ago no one would have imagined we could have impacted the system in the way we have but as a result of our unity and solidarity across international boarders the UN’s attitude toward Caribbean Indigenous Peoples is changing” he said.

“Of course there is much more we need to do and in many cases our situations, especially with regard to our sacred sites are urgent but we had to begin the process and our work as the UCTP or within the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean is precedent-setting.”

Mildred Karaira Gandia, a UCTP representative who has been participating in the UN sessions has also noticed a change in attitudes. She noted that “in collaboration with supportive NGOs like the Tribal Link Foundation, various representatives from the region have also been able to receive training on how to engage the United Nations System.” To date indigenous representatives from Guyana, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Barbados, and Dominica have been able to participate at the United Nations with assistance from the UCTP.

A highlight of Caribbean Indigenous participation at this year’s PFII session will be a special event entitled Climate Change, Bio-Cultural Diversity and Livelihoods: A Caribbean First Nations Perspective. Taino representative Elba Anaka Lugo from Puerto Rico along with Carib and Arawak delegates Chief Charles Williams from Dominica and Hereditary Chief Damon Corrie of Barbados will take part in this program on Wednesday, April 23, 2008.

Caribbean Indigenous Peoples will also be highlighted in the UN Art Exhibition “Spirit of Our Ancestors” along with other Indigenous Peoples from around the world. The featured works of Taíno artists Mildred Mukara Torres Speeg, Aguilar Marrero, and Reina Miranda, will be presented. Guyanese Lokono Arawak artist Foster Simon will also have several works on display in the public exhibition, which opens April 21 through May 18, 2008.

The Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

UCTPTN 04.20.2008

UN DPI/NGO Briefing: Climate Change and its Impact on Indigenous Peoples

20 March 2008
Climate Change Panel Summary

Climate change is altering the way in which human beings coexist with their environment. The briefing examined how the issue of climate change applied to indigenous peoples, who maintain an intimate relationship with the land. Speakers included H.E. Mr. Colin D. Beck, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations; Ms. Elsa Stamatopoulou, Chief, Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; and Mr. Roberto Mukaro Borrero (Taino), Chairperson, NGO Committee on the International Decade for the World's Indigenous Peoples.

H.E. Mr. Collin D. Beck spoke about the effect climate change had on small island states and the challenges for indigenous peoples of the Solomon Islands. He noted the great diversity among the half million people living in his country, 90 percent of which belong to indigenous groups who speak 80 different languages. Ambassador Beck stressed that all of the basic needs of indigenous peoples came from natural resources, which were greatly influenced by the changes in the environment. Climate change issues varied within each indigenous community and were related to their specific geographical region. The frequent occurrence of natural disasters such as high tides, tsunami and cyclones in disaster prone areas caused the progress made in certain locations to regress. Ambassador Beck also mentioned the subject of indigenous peoples migrating to bigger islands because of climate change. With migration came the threat of conflict between different ethnic groups and the loss of traditional culture. Furthermore, urbanization contributed to increased poverty. The Ambassador called for the need to move away from policy making into taking action on the ground.

Ms. Elsa Stamatopoulou discussed the importance of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which will be focusing on climate change and indigenous peoples during this year's session, more specifically the issues of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands. Ms. Stamatopoulou stressed the importance of raising awareness on issues faced by the indigenous peoples, and said that the effect of climate change on indigenous peoples was a matter of survival. She stated that indigenous peoples were "hardly contributors to climate change, but suffered the gravest consequences". And yet, the voices of indigenous peoples have not yet entered the mainstream of the climate change debate. Ms. Stamatopoulou also mentioned a study on biofuel development and its impact on the territories and the livelihoods of the indigenous populations. For example, corn used to fill up one SUV tank with ethanol would feed one person for a year. Ms. Stamatopoulou cited the right to food and blamed development of biofuels for the 40 percent increase in food costs worldwide. Ms. Stamatopoulous concluded by stating that solidarity was an important factor in addressing indigenous issues.

Mr. Roberto Borrero greeted the audience and introduced himself in his native indigenous language. He said that climate change was about the kind of world we were going to leave for our children and their children. He called for long-term rather than short-term solutions. Mr. Borrero examined the importance of indigenous peoples to be actively involved in preserving their culture and land. He defended the right to ownership by indigenous peoples and discussed the difficulties indigenous peoples encountered when trying to protect or preserve the land they did not own. Mr. Borrero stated that indigenous peoples noticed climate change years before the climate change debate started. For example, some indigenous elders gathering plants for traditional medicines could no longer find those. Mr. Borrero also mentioned the difficulties indigenous peoples faced accessing mainstream healthcare. He concluded by saying "for many years people have seen ice melting around the world, now it is time to melt the ice in the hearts of men."

During the question-and-answer period, a question was asked in regards to the effects nuclear testing had on indigenous peoples. Ambassador Beck mentioned the nuclear treaty preventing any more testing in his country. He also responded to a question regarding the urbanization of indigenous peoples by stressing the importance of investing in the development of rural areas. This would result in indigenous peoples not having to travel to urban areas for school or work. A question was asked about what NGOs could do to help indigenous peoples. Mr. Borrero referred to the CONGO website as a source for practical ways NGOs could assist indigenous peoples. He noted one of the most important ways NGOs could help was by disseminating information on indigenous peoples to the mainstream media and local communities.

The briefing was attended by about 100 representatives of NGOs, United Nations and Permanent Mission staff. The 1 hour and 20 minute archived webcast of the event is available at http://www.un.org/webcast/2008.html

RealPlayer needed to view UN webcasts. Click here (http://www.real.com/freeplayer/?rppr=rnwk) for a free download of the RealPlayer program.

Photo: Ms. Elsa Stamatopoulou and Roberto Mukaro Borrero speaking on Climate Change at the United Nations on March 20, 2008. (UN DPI Photo)

Source: United Nations, DPI/NGO Resource Centre, Room L-1B-31

Caribbean Editor Appointed for Indigenous Portal

UCTP Taino News – The United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) has been appointed Caribbean Regional Editor for the International Indigenous Portal. Created by the Indigenous ICT Task Force (IITF), the International Indigenous Portal at http://www.indigenousportal.com/ is a developing project, which comprises a general web site and regional sub-sites highlighting various regions of the world including Africa, Arctic, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, North America, the Pacific, and Central and Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia.

Welcoming the UCTP officially to the project, Malia Nobrega (Hawai’i), a representative of the IITF and the Indigenous Portal Board stated that the interview committee “was very happy to learn about the exciting work that the United Confederation of Taino People has done and continues to do with Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean.”

Announced at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2006, the call for regional portal editors began during a special session, which launched the International Indigenous Portal. The announcement was distributed world wide through various internet networks and acceptance of applications closed February 28th. Regional editors for the portal will be responsible for site content, editing, technical support on site usage, community outreach, project development, and reporting.

“The portal will increase the visibility of the Taino and other Caribbean Indigenous Peoples internationally along with our other indigenous relatives from around the world” stated Ericc Diaz who is a lead member of the UCTP’s information technology team.

“We look forward to introducing this innovative technology to our communities throughout the region” said Diaz.

UCTPTN 03.10.2008

Latin America and the Caribbean Advisory Group of Indigenous Leaders meet with the UN System

Quito, Ecuador (UCTP Taino News) - The Regional Meeting of the Advisory Group of Indigenous Leaders with the UN System in Latin America and the Caribbean held from 5 to 6 November in Quito, Ecuador, was jointly organized by UNICEF-LAC, OHCHR and SPFII. It was attended by more than 60 focal points of United Nations regional offices, indigenous members of the Advisory Group of UNICEF, Ms. Otilia Lux de Coti of the PFII, and indigenous authorities from Quito.

Representing the United Confederation of Taino People, Roberto Mukaro Borrero was appointed to the group and participated actively in all discussions. Borrero also had the opportunity to meet with local indigenous leaders of the regional informal gatherings organized in recognition of the meeting.

During two days UN agencies, funds and programmes dialogued with indigenous representatives on the strategies to implement recommendations of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Declaration). As an outcome, recommendations were prepared to Resident Coordinators within the context of the Declaration, the UNDG draft guidelines on indigenous peoples’ issues and the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People in order to integrate indigenous issues in the work of its agencies.

UCTPTN 11.10.2007

New Site for Taino Artist Reina Miranda

UCTP Taino News - Taino Artist Reina Miranda has just developed a new website to facilitate the sale of her paintings at Sistino.com. One of Miranda's paintings, "La Taina", was recently featured at United Nations Headquarters in New York during a group exhibition presented in conjuction with the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues from May-August 2007. You can now purchase prints directly from the site in a variety of ways including framing, mounting, art prints, paintings, canvas prints, fine art prints, giclee prints, art reproductions and original art. To acess the site please visit the link at:

http://www.sistino.com/shop/search/N/0/Ntk/all/Ntt/reina+miranda/Num/1/

Indigenous Training Session Includes Caribbean Indigenous Peoples

United Nations (UCTP Taino News) - Sponsored by the Tribal Link Foundation in partnership with the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, indigenous activists from around the world were selected to participate in the 2007 Project Access training session. The trainees included Mildred Gandia (Taino) and Reginaldo Fredericks (Lokono Arawak) and activities coincided with the preceding the Sixth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City.

CARICOM STATEMENT AT UNITED NATIONS

UCTP Taino News - DINA SHOMAN (Belize), speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said that the Second International Decade of Indigenous People had brought the situation of indigenous people onto the international agenda and had resulted in growing awareness of the obstacles they faced in preserving their cultures, livelihoods, and communities. One of the greatest achievements of the Decade had been the establishment of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which was a valuable meeting point between States, indigenous organizations and the United Nations system and other inter-governmental bodies. The Forum could play an important role in facilitating development initiatives for indigenous people of the Caribbean region, including through advocacy for greater coordination of efforts of United Nations agencies and by encouraging those agencies to help collect reliable data on indigenous people of the region so that their problems could be more precisely addressed.

Acknowledging important advances made during the first Decade, she also recalled the High Commissioner’s report pointing out that indigenous peoples in many countries continued to be among the poorest and most marginalized. Much remained to be done to protect them from human rights violations, to alleviate the poverty they faced, and to safeguard against discrimination.

CARICOM noted that after almost two decades of debate, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples had been adopted by the Human Rights Council with a view to being adopted by the General Assembly during this sixty-first session.

UCTPTN 10.18.2006

President of Bolivia Meets with Indigenous Leaders in New York

Indigenous Leaders at the UN. UCTP News Photo:
(From left to right) Tonya Frichner; President Evo Morales;
Roberto Mucaro Borrero; Oren Lyons; and Sid Hill

by Roger Atihuibancex Hernandez,

UCTP Taino News Correspondent

United Nations, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Evo Morales Aima, an Aymara indigenous leader who was recently elected to Bolivia’s highest office as President met with a small group of indigenous leaders at the United Nations on Monday, September 18, 2006. The President, along with his country's Foreign Minister, David Choquehuanca, (Aymara), are in New York City for the first time attending the 61st Session of the General Assembly at the United Nations.

The meeting was hosted by the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the American Indian Law Alliance (AILA), an Indigenous Peoples’ non-governmental organization working in New York City.

A member of the President’s delegation, Tom Kruse stated that the meeting was set up at the request of President Morales and “is meant to be a substantive exchange between Indigenous leaders from the North and the South to discuss the issues shared by Native peoples of the Western Hemisphere.”

Representatives of the Haudenosaunee, Lakota, Cree, and Taino Nations participated in the historic meeting, which was described by Kent Lebstock of AILA as “another step in the undeniable presence of Indigenous Peoples in international advocacy, especially human rights."

A traditional welcome for President Morales was extended by Sid Hill, Tadodaho of the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations, Iroquois Confederacy) from Onondaga in upstate New York. Other indigenous participants included Chief Oren Lyons, also from Onondaga; Chief Alex White Plume, Tribal Chairman of the Oglala Sioux Nation; Chief J. Wilton Littlechild, Ermineskin Cree Nation and member of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Tonya Gonnella Frichner (Onondaga), AILA Director; and Roberto Mukaro Borrero (Taino), Chairman of the Regional Coordinating Office of the United Confederation of Taino People. Several human rights advocates were also present including Esmeralda Brown of the United Methodist Church.

Substantive discussion among the participants took place and included issues such as lands, resources, the revitalization of traditional Indigenous processes in government, and conservation and environmental management. Advocacy toward the revocation of the 1493 Papal Bull and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the World’s Indigenous Peoples were other specific items discussed. The meeting coincided with the beginning of the General Assembly session where the issue of the Declaration is expected to be addressed.

During the meeting President Morales recounted parts of his personal and political history as well as key events that galvanized the rise of his political party to power in Bolivia. He also expressed his view that his work and that of his party are a continuation of the “500 Years of Resistance” campaign. The President stressed however, that the goal now is to move “beyond resistance to power” so that the “people” can live well.

“President Morales is an inspiration for all our Peoples, especially our youth in that he exemplifies what can be accomplished when we accept and affirm the profound teachings of our ancestors” stated Boriken Taino leader Roberto Mukaro Borrero.

Borrero continued by noting “don’t lie, don’t steal and don’t be lazy are basic laws that all Indigenous Peoples can relate to and it is a great honor to be present at time when these ancient ideals are once again being put into practice.”

President Morales considered meeting a success and felt that such meetings are his obligation as a “defender of Mother Earth.”

In a clear demonstration of his commitment President Morales not only invited the group to visit him in Bolivia but he also requested they draft comments about the Declaration, which he could consider incorporating in his speech to the UN General Assembly.