To all Indigenous Peoples, brothers and sisters,
Respectful Greetings,
In September of 1977, the Conference on Discrimination against
Indigenous Peoples of the Americas took place in Geneva,
Switzerland. 165 Indigenous Peoples participated.
It was the first international gathering of Indigenous Peoples
before the United Nations, an activity of the Special Committee on
Non Governmental Organizations' Sub-Committee on Racism, Racial
Discrimination and Apartheid.
There, Indigenous Peoples from the Western Hemisphere gave
testimony on the situation of Human Rights of our Peoples and the
continuation of colonialism and genocide against us.
This summer will mark the 20th anniversary of this gathering and
the formal participation of Indigenous Peoples before the UN in
Geneva. This conference gave birth to a great consciousness
raising at the international level on the situation of Indigenous
Peoples all over the world. Participating Indigenous Peoples made
several recommendations to the UN, including the suggestion that
there be a more widespread and systematic participation of
Indigenous Peoples at the UN level. This recommendation was taken
to the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities, which in turn recommended to the UN that
the Working Group on Indigenous Populations be formed.
Another World Conference took place in 1981, again in Geneva, and
in 1982, the Working Group had its first meeting. Since the
formation of the Working Group thousands of Indigenous persons
representing hundreds of Indigenous Nations have participated
directly in standard setting for the recognition and observance of
the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples,
such as the UN Draft declaration on the rights of Indigenous
Peoples, the Resolution by the General Assembly declaring 1992 the
year of Indigenous Peoples, the subsequent Declaration on the
Decade of Indigenous Peoples, important studies on the Preservation
of Indigenous Heritage, the study on Treaties, and other issues of
great importance to Indigenous Peoples.
The next session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations in
Geneva, beginning 28 July, 1997, will commemorate this historic
moment that marks the beginning of the Indigenous Peoples of the
world at the United Nations.
For the International Indian Treaty Council, which had been formed
1974, and had participated internationally to achieve this first
conference and more ample and open Indigenous participation at the
UN, this moment is of great significance and pride.
Indeed, as the International Indian Treaty Council was the first Indigenous
organization recognized by the UN as a consultative status Non-governmental
organization in 1977, this 20th anniversary is of great significance and pride
for us in this respect as well.
We would therefore invite those who are able to attend the next
session of the Working Group where this important beginning will be
commemorated. We would especially urge those brothers and sister
who attended the first World Conference in 1977 to attend, that
they may be recognized in a good way.
We very much regret that our organization is unable to provide any
financial assistance for those interested in attending. All will
have to make their own arrangements.
If your attendance is possible, we would remind you that it is
important to bring traditional dress to this event, to again
demonstrate to the UN the diversity of our Peoples, Nations and
cultures. If it is possible, please also bring traditional foods
for the Indigenous Peoples' reception, keeping in mind that
Switzerland has regulations on the importation of meat. It is
recommended that frozen meat be sent through diplomatic pouch via
the embassies of friendly states.
There will be three major events in the commemoration:
1) Commemorating the march of Indigenous Peoples in 1977, there
will be a march of Indigenous Peoples in traditional dress through
the main gates of the UN, on Monday, July 28, at 10:00 am,
demonstrating, as was done in 1977, that Indigenous Peoples cannot
be denied entrance to the UN. Once inside the UN, prior to the
beginning of the regular session of the Working Group,
representatives of Indigenous Peoples, chosen at the preparatory
meeting on Saturday and Sunday at the World Council of Churches
building in Geneva, will address the session, and exchange gifts
with representatives of the United Nations.
2) Thursday, July 31, Indigenous Peoples will host a reception for
representatives of the UN and the public in the evening at the UN
Beach, where traditional foods will be served.
3) The Lord Mayor of Geneva will host a reception on Friday, August
31, beginning at 5:00 pm. This event coincides with the Swiss
national holiday and will be held in conjunction with their
celebration at the Promenade des Bastions across from the Palace
Neuve. This event is also of historic tradition, as it marks the
reception given in 1923 by the Lord Mayor of Geneva, to Descaheh,
the Cayuga Chief who, representing the Iroquois Confederacy, was
the first Indigenous representative to the League of Nations. An
area for the sale of crafts has also been set aside for this event.
If your presence is possible, and you need more information, please
contact:
Bill (Jimbo) Simmons Kenneth Deer
International Indian Treaty Council The Eastern Door
San Francisco, California, US, Mohawk Territory
tel: (415)512-1501 (514)635-3050
fax: (415)512-1507 (514)635-8479
email: iitc@igc.apc.org easterndoor@montreal.com
This invitation is also available on the web at:
http://hookele.com/iitc/20anniv.html
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
! INTERNATIONAL INDIAN TREATY COUNCIL !
http://hookele.com/iitc
sent by: Information Office Administrative Office
54 Mint Street, Suite #400 456 N. Alaska Street
San Francisco, California 94103 Palmer, Alaska 99645
Telephone: (415) 512-1501 Telephone: (907) 745-4482
Fax: (415) 512-1507 Fax: (970) 745-4484
email: iitc@igc.apc.org email: iitcak@corecom.net
Draft Declaration & Related Documents
http://hookele.com/iitc/draftdec.html
http://hookele.com/netwarriors/
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^