The editors of onthecommons.org seek to publish a variety of resources, discourse and knowledge about the commons. We also encourage you to make your own contributions and connect with other members of the onthecommons.org community. Check out your options under the green Participate menu above.
A Breakthrough for Indigenous People’s Rights
By Tom Oconell
Share
Print
An historic event in the annals of human progress took place last fall with virtually no media attention in the United States.
After 22 years of negotiations, the United Nations voted 143-4 on September 13 to endorse the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People—a logical next step beyond the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, passed in 1948.
The declaration affirms two key rights for tribal peoples: ownership of their traditional lands and the opportunity to continue their traditional way of life. The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand stood alone in objecting to Declaration. All four nations have substantial populations of native peoples who want to reclaim some of their stolen lands.
The State of Maine did endorse the Declaration on April 21, setting the stage for other U.S. states to follow.
See the 2007 story on the UN Declaration: http://www.survival-international.org/news/2501
Posted July 17, 2008
