Available now: The Voice of the Taino People, Vol. 14, Issue 1, Jan. - March 2011

The Voice of the Taíno People is the Official News Journal of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP) and is distributed by the UCTP Office of International Relations and Regional Coordination, Volume 14, Issue 1, Jan. – March 2011, All Rights Reserved ; ISSN 1553-9350. In this issue: OAS Regional Meeting Includes Caribbean ; U.S. Endorses Declaration ; Taino Author releases Children’s Book ; Taino Youth Say No to the Pipeline ; Announcements and Events.

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U.S Reviews Indigenous Declaration

Kimberly Teehee of the White House Domestic Policy Council responds to questions during discussions on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (Photo courtesy of indianlaw.org)

Washington D.C. (UCTP Taíno News ) - Representatives from more than 20 tribes met last week with officials from the White House, the Department of State, Department of the Interior, and other federal agencies to discuss the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This was the third round of conversations in the U.S. review process of the Declaration, which was ratified by the UN General Assembly Sept. 13, 2007. 144 countries voted in favor of the Declaration. The U.S was one of four countries to vote against its passage along with Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Today, the United States and Canada remain the only countries in opposition to the Declaration as New Zealand and Australia have officially reversed their positions.

“The Declaration is not only an issue important to federally recognized Tribe Nations but to State Recognized Tribal Nations as well as Indigenous Peoples like the Taíno whose ancient homelands are now U.S. territories” stated Roberto Borrero, a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People.

He continued noting that “The Confederation has submitted a position paper to the State Department calling on the U.S. to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples without qualification.”

According to participants at the meeting federal officials would not confirm when a decision on the Declaration would be made. U.S. Officials did report however that more than 2000 submissions concerning U.S. endorsement of the Declaration have been received.

State Department officials also announced that written submissions will be accepted through October 31, 2010.

UCTPTN 10.20.2010

Global Appeal and World Wide Drum Ceremony

MALUKU (UCTP Taino News) - Indigenous elders in Maluku and West Papua have taken the initiative to organize a global appeal with a World Wide Drum Ceremony by Indigenous Peoples throughout the world on September 13, 2010. The appeal is being organized to urge governments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Organizers of the event are calling on indigenous communities and organizations to draft memorandums on their current situations, which can be sent to national governments on Sept. 13th. The memorandums would also call for the implementation of the UNDRIP. Communities are also urged to organize a drum ceremony on the same day to “help sound the indigenous voice around the world”. Supporters are encouraged to use any traditional instruments for the campaign.

“We hope that as many Indigenous Peoples as possible could take part in this campaign to make this global event a great success” stated Pelpina Sahureka on behalf of the organizers. She hopes that communities will make videos of their participation and send them to the organizers at mu@nusaalifuru.org.

The appeal has been gaining attention around the world.

“The implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is an important issue for us and we are urging our communities and allies to consider supporting this appeal” stated Roberto Borrero a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People.

The Confederation helped to organize Caribbean regional support of the UNDRIP toward its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 13, 2007.

144 counties voted in favor of the Declaration’s passage with 4 countries - Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States - voting against it.

Australia and New Zealand have since reversed their decision in favor of endorsing the UNDRIP. Canada and the United States are currently reviewing their decisions.

UCTPTN 09.07.2010

United States Reviewing Position on UN Indigenous Rights Declaration

Washington, D.C. (UCTP Taino News) - The U.S. Department of State has created a new website to enable public input during the U.S. review of its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). On April 20, 2010, United States Ambassador Susan E. Rice announced the decision of the U.S. to review the Declaration at the 9th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

In a recent press release the Obama Administration recognized that the UNDRIP provides a framework for addressing indigenous issues. During President Obama's first year in office, tribal leaders and interested non-governmental organizations (NGOs) encouraged the United States to reexamine its position on the Declaration.

Roberto Mukaro Agueibana Borrero, a representative of the United Confederation of Taíno People welcomed the news.

“This decision is important not only for Indigenous Peoples living in the mainland United States but for other Indigenous Peoples like the Taíno who reside in non-self-governing territories controlled by the U.S. Government” stated Borrero.

He continued noting that “unlike mainland American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, the Taíno of Borikén (Puerto Rico) for example do not benefit from U.S. Federal laws designed to protect indigenous cultural and spiritual properties.”

The United Confederation of Taíno People promoted and organized Caribbean regional support toward the Declaration’s final adoption in 2007.

“Legal application of this Declaration does not require a States’ formal recogntition of Indigenous Peoples and the UCTP is committed to engaging the U.S. government on this issue with our future generations in mind” said Borrero.

As part of the U.S. government’s review process, the U.S. Department of State, together with other Federal agencies, will be hosting consultations with federally-recognized tribes and dialogues with interested NGOs and other stakeholders.

UCTPTN 06.08.2010

UN Indigenous Forum Opens in New York

Damon Corrie, Mildred Karaira Gandia and Pamela Kraft of the Tribal Link Foundation at the United Nations in New York (Tribal Link Photo)

United Nations, NY (UCTP Taino News) - The 9th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues began yesterday with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calling on Member States to promote development while respecting the values and traditions of Indigenous Peoples.

"The loss of irreplaceable cultural practices and means of artistic expression makes us all poorer, wherever our roots may lie," Mr. Ban told the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. This year's theme at the forum is "Development with Culture and Identity."

In a surprise proclamation, the government of New Zealand announced that it has decided to reverse its 2007 decision and support the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples. New Zealand was one of four countries - the others being Australia, Canada and the United States - that voted against the Declaration. Australia reversed its decision last year.

The Declaration outlines the rights of the world's estimated 370 million indigenous people and outlaws discrimination against them.

Approximately 2000 participants are expected to take part in the Forum over the next two-weeks, including indigenous representatives, Member States, UN agencies, academic institutions, and civil society groups. Among the many indigenous delegates are Mildred Karaira Gandia a representative for the United Confederation of Taino People and Damon Gerard Corrie of the Eagle Clan Arawaks of Barbados and Guyana.

"We are here to advocate for Caribbean Indigenous Peoples" stated Gandia. "Our communities are often ignored in the larger discussions".

Both Gandia and Corrie are taking part in a special training program organized by the Tribal Link Foundation and the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Indigenous peoples are estimated to make up five per cent of the world's population, but some 33 per cent of the world's poor, according to State of the World's Indigenous Peoples, released in January and the first UN report of its kind.

UCTPTN 04.20.2010