Thomas Banyacya is a speaker for the Hopi elders. He has been
requesting that the Hopi Prophesies be heard by the General
Assembly since 1948. Tomorrow isn't the answer to his request
but perhaps it is a step toward it. I feel honored that the
elders of the Hopi Nation have agreed to send Thomas Banyacya
to address the Assembly. In a part of the prophesies it is said
that all the races of men must work together in order to heal
Mother Earth.
Oren Lyons, a chief of the Onondaga Nation, has said, "In our way
of life...with every decision we make, we always keep in mind the
Seventh Generation to come....When we walk upon Mother Earth, we
always plant our feet carefully because we know that the faces of
our future generations are looking up at us from the beneath the
ground. We never forget them."
There are people from every part of the world speaking before the
assembly tomorrow. I'm hoping we can get a report on what is
said.
It is time for the United Nations to include all the nations of the
world. Perhaps, The International Year of Indigenous Peoples will
bring this about.
This agenda was tentative a couple months ago but I believe it
is a good indication of what is happening tomorrow.
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Agenda
Launch of the International Year of Indigenous People
10 December, 1992: United Nations Headquarters
10:30 am Briefing for Non-Governmental Organizations with
senior UN officials and representatives of
indigenous people.
11:00 am Press conference sponsored by the Centre for Human
Rights with senior UN officials and representatives
of indigenous people.
3:00 pm General Assembly Session: In the first part, the
President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-
General and representatives of regional groups will
make statements. Then the formal session will be
suspended to allow representatives of indigenous
people to address the Assembly.
(2 hours out of 3 for indigenous people)
6:00 pm Reception and Special Event: General Assembly Public
Lobby. The event is being co-sponsored by UNDPI,
UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNDP, ILO, UNESCO, UNEP, and the
Centre for Human Rights.
Some delegations have also expressed interest in
contributing to the event which will focus primarily
on culture. Exhibit proposals are being considered
and we are approaching various performers
-musicians, actors, and dancers to participate in
the event. In addition to indigenous people who will
be taking part in the day's activities, quests will
include press and media, delegations,
representatives of cultural institutions and
organizations, UN officials and UN agency
representatives and people from the arts and
entertainment fields.
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Michele Lord + If you have come here to help me,
+ you are wasting your time.....
Alpha Institute + But if you have come because
+ your liberation is bound up with mine,
milo@scicom.alphacdc.com + then let us work together.
Aboriginal Woman
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