>From August 5-11, 1991 the International Indian Treaty
Council will be holding its 13th International Conference
in Arctic Village, Alaska. The International Indian
Treaty Council is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
with consultative status to the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights.
The conference will be attended by Indigenous Delegates
from North, Central and South America, the Pacific,
Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Australia as well as from
villages throughout Alaska. Issues to be discussed
include: the effects of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act; toxic waste and environmental protection;
subsistence rights; cultural and religious freedom;
political prisoners; land and treaty rights; and many
other issues of concern to the survival and human rights
of Indigenous Peoples around the world. The organizing
efforts of Indigenous Peoples throughout the hemispheres
to commemorate "five hundred years of resistance" in 1992
as an alternative to the celebration of the landing of
Columbus will also be a major focus of the conference.
The conference will provide an opportunity for Indigenous
participants to exchange information on issues vital to
their survival, and will enable the IITC to gather
documentation for its presentations to the United Nations
and other international forums. Delegates and Treaty
Council staff will provide information and technical
assistance through presentations and workshops on a
variety of topics. Delegates from many areas will present
aspects of their traditional cultures as well.
The conference is being hosted by the Gwich'in Athabascan
People of Arctic Village in order to focus attention on
their struggle to prevent oil development in the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge which would seriously threaten
their traditional subsistence way of life.
The media are invited to attend all or part of the
Conference. For more information contact: Antonio
Gonzales, Director, International Indian Treaty Council
information office: (415) 566-0251 Andrea Carmen,
Conference Cordinator: (907) 745-0505, or Sarah James,
Arctic Village Council: (907) 587-5315