The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 1990-2017: The Struggle for Indigenous Human Rights Continue

--Event--

UNDRIP Flyer

Start Date: Oct 05, 2017 - 12:00am

Location: Kiva Classroom

El Centro de la Raza, in collaboration with the Native American Studies Department and supported by the Alfonso Ortiz Center for Intercultural Studies, presented an Academia-Community forum to discuss the First Decade of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples. A living document for the common future of humanity, the effective implementation of the Declaration benefits 370 million Indigenous Peoples across the world. Ten years after the adoption of UNDRIP, Indigenous Peoples still face challenges to the recognition of their human rights. The anniversary offers the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of Indigenous Peoples using the declaration’s provisions to advance human rights, and encourage a dialogue about the obstacles faced by Indigenous Peoples in protecting Mother Earth from extractive industries and accelerated Western development. The forum fosters understanding about the use of this document to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

An audience of over 50 students, staff, faculty and community members attended the forum.

- Prof. June Lorenzo, from the UNM Law School, spoke about the legal implications of UNDRIP and the importance of having legal language that can be used to protect Indigenous Peoples
- Mr. Shannon Rivers, Tohono O'odham leader and UCLA Master’s student, discussed the politics of resistance that emerge from the affirmation of Indigenous Peoples rights
- Dra. Teran, Postdoctoral Fellow at UNM’s Native American Studies department, addressed the role of women in developing this important resolution of the UN General Assembly, as well as the participation of Indigenous Women in the creation of the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge associated to Biodiversity
- Jorge Garcia, Senior Program Manager of UNM’s El Centro de la Raza, gave a brief overview of the Indigenous Continental Movement and its 30-year effort leading to the resolution