Urban Zen Center hosted DIGNITY: Rights of Indigenous Peoples yesterday evening as a continuation of the launch of DIGNITY, a book of photography by Dana Gluckstein, held at the center last month. This gathering, however, was quite different than the initial book launch – which raised awareness for Indigenous Peoples and cultural diversity in general. With partners Cultural Survival and Amnesty International, we discussed in depth the urgency and importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).
A magical and extremely informative evening, the event opened with Matou, an indigenous group of musicians who used drums, flutes and vocals to create a powerful harmony that radiated through each person in the audience.
The evening then shifted to a discussion on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP). The panel was moderated by Elsa Stamatopoulou, a faculty member at Columbia University, and included Kent Lebsock of the Owe Aku Justice Project and Les Malezre, chair member of the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action. The panelists discussed the significance of UNDRIP as a document not only for the rights of Indigenous Peoples but as a revolutionary statement on human rights.
Kent Lebsock explained the significance of the process of creating UNDRIP, which began more than twenty five years ago. Lebsock stated that this declaration is the first time in modern history where people directly affected by the declaration assisted in drafting it. It was created through open forums where Indigenous Peoples from around the world came together – regular people, credentials were not necessary – to create this revolutionary document.
“This declaration represents 500 years of neglect to indigenous individuals by empires, powerful nations and industry leaders,” Les Malezar said. He explained that people who claim to be concerned with human rights must also be concerned with the rights of Indigenous Peoples who have suffered from horrific injustice throughout history.
Amnesty Interational USA’s Executive Director, Larry Cox, rounded out the conversation expressing his disappointment that the United States and Canada have not yet signed the declaration. He stated that the US needs to accept that cultural change has occurred since the adoption of their country’s declaration and that severe violation of human rights continues against Indigenous People in the United States and worldwide.
UNDRIP represents the first time that the United Nations has agreed on a single set of values governing relations between national governments and Indigenous Peoples living within their borders. As Cultural Survival explains, “The declaration is a key step towards realizing full governmental recognition and respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including their rights to their languages, cultures and spiritual practices.” Amnesty International explains further, “In the United States, almost 24 percentage of Indigenous peoples live in poverty…Native women are more than 2.5 times more likely to be assaulted than other women in the U.S…with at least 86% of the perpetrators being non-Native men.” The declaration is an opportunity to begin to end injustice against Indigenous Peoples.
The United States and Canada have been given the opportunity to take a step in the right direction. Larry Cox insists that we all must write to our Senator, Congress members and President to show the urgency of this issue not only as an issue for Indigenous Peoples but as an issue for all mankind.
Take action now by signing or drafting a sample letter to President Obama.
Download it HERE
Photos by Yonghee Joe
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- DIGNITY: Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Dignity Exhibition
- Urban Zen hosts launch of DIGNITY
- Exhibition honoring Ross Bleckner, UN Goodwill Ambassador
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