by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
“The interests of the indigenous peoples must be part of the new development agenda in order for it to succeed…Together, let us recognize and celebrate the valuable and distinctive identities of indigenous peoples around the world. Let us work even harder to empower them and support their aspirations.” – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
On Sunday, August 9 the world will observe the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The theme this year is: “Post 2015 Agenda: Ensuring indigenous peoples’ health and well-being.”
The UN states that this year’s theme “puts a spotlight on the issue of indigenous peoples’ access to health care services, as improving indigenous peoples’ health remains a critical challenge for indigenous peoples, Member States and the United Nations.” The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Volume II will be launched at the UN Headquarters event on August 9.
“Indigenous Peoples worldwide number between 300-500 million, embody and nurture 80% of the world’s cultural and biological diversity, and occupy 20% of the world’s land surface… Indigenous Peoples have been killed, tortured and enslaved. In many cases, they have been the victims of genocide. They have been denied the right to participate in governing processes of the current state systems” (University of Minnesota).
On the adoption of the UN Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples in 2007, all States were urged to “take all necessary measures to implement the rights of indigenous peoples in accordance with international human rights instruments without discrimination” (UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues). Sadly, today the promotion of human dignity, inclusion and equity of indigenous peoples of the world remains a challenge.
In his encyclical, ‘Laudato Si’, Pope Francis states: “…it is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. They are not merely one minority among others, but should be the principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting their land are proposed. For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values. When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best. Nevertheless, in various parts of the world, pressure is being put on them to abandon their homelands to make room for agricultural or mining projects which are undertaken without regard for the degradation of nature and culture.”
On July 9 the Holy Father addressed the “World Meeting of the Popular Movements” in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, which was attended by many indigenous people, whom he called “sowers of change”. It was with great humility and passion that he asked forgiveness for the sins of the Catholic Church against Latin America’s indigenous people.
He said: “I humbly ask forgiveness, not only for the offenses of the Church herself, but also for crimes committed against the native peoples during the so-called conquest of America… Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labour is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation.” He said a just economy, must not only guarantee what he called the three “Ls” – land, lodging and labour – “but also access to education, health care, new technologies, artistic and cultural manifestations, communications, sports and recreation…
“The world’s peoples want to be artisans of their own destiny. They want to advance peacefully towards justice… Let us say NO to forms of colonialism old and new. Let us say YES to the encounter between peoples and cultures. Blessed are the peacemakers… the future of humanity does not lie solely in the hands of great leaders, the great powers and the elites. It is fundamentally in the hands of peoples and in their ability to organize.” He said protecting Mother Earth was “perhaps the most important task facing us today.” Read his presentation on: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-address-to-popular-movements–2 .
As Nalis states, Amerindian Peoples, generally known as Caribs and Arawaks, “have existed in Trinidad for as many as six thousand years before the arrival of Columbus and numbered at least forty thousand at the time of Spanish settlement in 1592…The Amerindians developed the canoe, the bow and arrow, and the ajoupa. Amerindian cuisine is enjoyed by many Trinidadians: Cassava bread and Farine; Warap; barbecued wild game; corn pastelles; coffee; cocoa; chadon beni. Parang music, which is popular at Christmas time in Trinidad, is a hybrid of Spanish and Amerindian musical styles.”
I commend Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez, President of the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community who continues to promote the rights of indigenous people.
