Indigenous Notes, 2010 Issue 4
- President’s Message: Year End Review
- Center takes on Rapa Nui case to protect indigenous lands and human rights
- Mining Industry in South America Threatens Indigenous Communities
- US stands alone in opposition to the UN Declaration
- Celebrating the Gruber Justice Award
- Negotiations on the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to resume in January
- Staffing updates
| Year End Review | |
It has been a profound year for the Indian Law Resource Center. This year, the United States announced it would conduct a review of its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. If the U.S. endorses the Declaration, it would be a major victory for indigenous peoples in the United States and around the world. However, our work will not end with mere improvements of the law, through developments such as the UN Declaration. Our purpose is to advocate for indigenous communities in the Americas facing serious human rights violations. Violations of an indigenous community’s rights usually result in a community afflicted by poverty, poor health, and violence. Our role is to provide legal expertise, at no charge, to address threats to land rights, rights to self-government, and other important collective rights of indigenous peoples. (MORE…)
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| Center takes on Rapa Nui case to protect indigenous lands and human rights | |
 Indian Law Resource Center staff are moving quickly to protect the human rights and sacred sites of the Rapa Nui Nation, made up of approximately 36 clans living on “Easter Island.” The Island is in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and is a special territory of Chile annexed in 1888. Right now Chilean armed forces occupy the Island, and and have carried out violent evictions of Rapa Nui clan members. Clan leaders say they are subject to intimidation and unwarranted criminal persecution by the Chilean authorities. (MORE…) | |
| Mining Industry in South America Threatens Indigenous Communities | |
 The Indian Law Resource Center is helping indigenous leaders raise international awareness about the devastating impacts of mining on indigenous people in the Andean Region. In late October, indigenous leaders from Peru, Colombia and Bolivia traveled to Washington, D.C. for the 140th Period of Sessions at the Inter‑American Commission on Human Rights. The Commission is a body of the Organization of American States empowered to consider cases of human rights violations and make recommendations for remedying violations. At the thematic hearing, the leaders shared testimony about their communities’ struggles on the front lines of the fight against mining development. (MORE…) | |
| US stands alone in opposition to the UN Declaration | |
On November 12, Canada officially adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, leaving the United States as the only country to oppose the human rights instrument. Although our contacts within the Obama Administration have not been able to say whether U.S. adoption of the Declaration is imminent, we remain hopeful the administration will announce an unqualified adoption of the UN Declaration within the next few months. The Declaration will do many things to help Indian nations, according to Darwin Hill, Chief of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. “One important element is the full recognition of Indian nations as legitimate governments. Right now it is if we are on a second class status,” said Hill. “The Declaration may also help to right the wrongs that have been done over the last century of the loss of our lands.” (MORE…) | |
| Celebrating the Gruber International Justice Prize | |
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| Negotiations on the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Resume in January | |
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| Staffing News | |
     Left to Right: Tania Valdez, Juanita Cabrera-Lopez, Karla General, Bo Scott, Lorena Vaca We’d like to take this opportunity to recognized the contributions of Juanita Cabrera-Lopez and Tania Valdez who are leaving the Center, and also welcome new staff members Karla General, Bo Scott, and Lorena Vaca. (MORE…) | |
| Support the Indian Law Resource Center | |
The end of this tax year is rapidly approaching. This is a great time to make a tax-deductible investment in justice for indigenous peoples before December 31st.
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As 2010 comes to a close, we have much to celebrate thanks to the support of friends like you. As you prepare to welcome the New Year, we hope you will consider making a gift to support the life-changing work of the Indian Law Resource Center.