For Immediate Release
Contact: South and Meso American Indian Information Center, Nilo
Cayuqueo, Gina Pacaldo
Telephone: 510 834-4263 Fax: 510 834 4264
On December 10, 1992 world-wide leaders and delegates from
Indigenous grassroots and traditional territories from around the
world convened at the United Nations headquarters in New York City
for the official opening of the United Nations International Year
of the World's Indigenous Peoples.
As an observer and supporter of the inherent rights of Indigenous
peoples to participate in all decision making processes that
affect their lives, the South and Meso-American Indian Information
Center based in Oakland, California was present at this historical
event. During the morning at the General Assembly Plenary
Meeting, the President General as well as representatives of
Member States made official U.N. declarations. The Plenary
meeting was then adjourned to be continued by statements of
Indigenous speakers. The greatest insult was that few members of
the General Assembly returned to attend the continuation of the
opening ceremonies. The diverse list of Indigenous speakers
addressed a relatively empty assembly hall. In light of the great
presence of Indigenous chiefs, political and spiritual leaders,
there was little local, national or international press coverage.
Once again, Indigenous peoples of the world were not treated with
due respect.
The UN declarations are based on the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples
Convention (No. 169). The basic principle of the Convention is
respect for the cultures and ways of life of these peoples, and
their right to continued existence and development along the lines
they choose. It contains provisions on land rights, participation
in decision making about development that affects them, and the
preservation of traditional cultures, ways of life and legal
systems. The convention provides for them to take a part in
managing the natural resources on their traditional lands, and to
benefit from the exploitation of these resources. It requires
ratifying States to accord them the possibility of managing their
own educational and health systems.
The South and Meso American Indian Information Center urges the
media and press throughout the greater San Francisco Bay area to
take this opportune time to give more ample and extensive coverage
to the International Year of the World's Indigenous People, so
that the general Public can all be informed as to the
implementation of all the noble promises and declarations of the
United Nations and its agencies.
The theme of the International Year of the World's Indigenous
Peoples is Indigenous People - A New Partnership by investigating
and assigning editors to establishing on-going relationships with
the Indigenous people of the Bay Area, as well providing coverage
to Indigenous issues throughout the American Continent.
The South and Meso-American Indian Information Center also
encourages your editors to communicate with Navajo journalist,
Valerie Taliman, 8000 Offenhauser Drive, 27-G, Reno, Nevada 89511,
telephone and fax: 702 851 0222 who recently overed the New York
meetings.
The South and Meso American Indian Information Center promotes
educating the general public with information that is relevant to
Indigenous people. We encourage an on-going "partnership" with
Indigenous people.