CONGO Committee on International Decade for the World's Indigenous People

New York
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February 2008 Report for CONGO

  • Current Leadership: Roberto Mucaro Borrero (Taino), Chairperson (Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources/United Confederation of Taino People); Kevin Dance, Vice-Chairperson (Passionist International); Sandy Sheridan, Communications Secretary (Sunray Meditation Society); Pamela Kraft, Treasurer (Tribal Link Foundation)


The next general election for the Committee is scheduled for December 2008
  • Current Membership: Jo Albright, Mary Knoll; Sharon Altendorf, International Presentation Association; M. Cristina Blanc-Szanton, IUAEI, Joselyn Borrero (Tlingit), International Indian Treaty Council; Mary P. Bruce, Loretto Community; Dr. Elaine Congress, International Federation of Social Workers; Amavi Joel Dossa (Togo), OVAD-AP Togo; Tom Downs, Wittenberg Center; Mary McDonald, Pax Christi; Janet Cutting Feldman, Globetree; Miguel Ibanez (Quechua), HABITAT PRO Association; Dornye Kirby, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Daniel LeBlanc, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and VIVAT International; Sher and Kaab Malik, Indigenous Peoples Survival Foundation; Ana Martinez de Luco UNANIMA International; Dr. JoAnne Murphy, Sunray Meditation Society; Dr. Corann Okorodudu, American Psychological Association and the Society for Psych. Study of Social Issues; Denise Scotto, FIDA; Barbara James Snyder (Washoe/Paiute), Images of Peace; Betsy Stang, Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources; Mary Jo Toll, Sisters of Norte Dame; Marilese Tronto, International Women's Writing Guild; Sacajawea Qualla Howard, Cherokee Embassy to the Indigenous Peoples of the World; Stacy Hanrahan, Congregation of Notre Dame

  • What has the Committee done or been discussing since the last report?
  • Since the submission of our Dec. 2007 report our Committee has continued to meet on a monthly basis, usually the 4th Thursday of the month, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at UN DC2 and at the UN Church Center in cooperation with CONGO.
  • International Expert Group Meeting on indigenous languages (8-10 Jan): Committee members attended the meeting as observers (Daniel LeBlanc, Mary Peter Bruce, Pamela Kraft, Roberto Borrero) and briefed the Committee at Jan. general meeting.
  • Indigenous Peoples, Education, and Employment - Challenges and Opportunities: Briefing for NGO Committee on Social Development (Jan. 17), Presenters: Kevin Dance and Roberto Borrero.
  • Indigenous Peoples' Knowledge and Full Employment (6 Feb.): Cosponsored with the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Presenters: Ms. Sonia Smallacombe, Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Mr. Djankou Ndjonkou, Representative and Director, ILO Office for the UN; Ms. Julia Yana, National Secretary of Rural Women's Organization "Bartoline Sisa," Aymara People, Bolivia; and Mary Peter Bruce, Loretto Community.
  • Our Committee is developing a new informational brochure that will assist in promoting the work of the Committee.
  • What is the Committee planning or discussing as future work?
  • Our Committee will continue to hold our monthly meetings, support its working groups, and post relevant information via our Internet News List Serve.
  • The Committee is planning its participation during the 7th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
  • Sonia Smallacombe, of the UNPFII Secretariat will brief Committee on the upcoming PFII at 28 February general meeting.
  • DPI Thursday Morning Briefing (March 20) focusing on the UNPFII session in cooperation with UN Department of Public Information and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.


This report has been prepared and submitted by Roberto Mucaro Borrero, and Sandy Sheridan on behalf of the NGO Committee on the UN International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples.


Minutes of meeting: Thursday, January 24, 2008, 1-3 p.m.; U.N. Church Center
Chairperson: Roberto Borrero
Attendance: See Register
Agenda:
  1. Greetings and review of agenda
  2. Meeting minutes of 13 December 2007
  3. Report from the Executive Committee
  4. Updates on Committee Brochure
  5. Upcoming Projects for Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
a) Resource Guide b) Networking Reception
  1. Discussion on Expert Meeting on Indigenous Languages
  2. Other items and announcements

  1. Greetings and review of agenda : Chairperson Roberto Borrero welcomed all attending who then introduced themselves. The agenda was reviewed and accepted.

  1. Meeting minutes of 13 December 2007 - The minutes were approved.

  1. Report from the Executive Committee: February 28, 2008 will be a briefing on the Permanent Forum and the major theme:Climate Change. Daniel LeBlanc requested information about the new e-mail address. Roberto promised to send and explain the new Google address. It has a calendar and other elements that will be useful. Those who attended the CONGO meeting: Pam Kraft, Daniel LeBlanc and Mary Peter Bruce gave a report of the first meeting chaired by Levy Bautista. He has many plans. It was suggested that he be invited for the meeting on Feb. 28. (It could be the meeting will be in DC2, 13th floor due to the CSW meeting in session that week).It was suggested that there be a meeting with the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues also. Kevin read the letter he wrote in the name of the Committee to the Australian Prime Minister.

  1. Update on Committee Brochure : Mary Ann Strain presented the design of the new brochure. The cost of printing was discussed. There is a possibility of making it in black and white, or of seeking a donation for colored printing.Mary Ann was going to investigate some Indigenous groups that have casinos.

  1. Upcoming Projects for Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: a) Resource Guide b) Networking Reception
a) Roberto gave an explanation of the resource guide and asked those present to review their information. Doryne Kirby volunteered to help Pam for the revision and preparation of the new guide books. b) The traditional contribution of our Committee to the Forum is the Networking Reception. There is need to find new funding sources for this and other events. Because it takes place in the UN building, it is more expensive.

  1. Discussion on Expert Meeting on Indigenous LanguagesMiguel Ibanez, Pam, Jo Albright, Daniel and Mary Peter attended the Expert Meeting on Indigenous Languages of January 8-10, 2008. The loss of Indigenous languages affects the identity and the education of the young generations of Indigenous people in many countries. A report will be coming out soon from the Secretariat. Miguel has photos and videos of the same, as well as of the Indigenous Permanent Forum, 2006. The important points of the Expert Meeting were: the loss of languages and identity by many Indigenous people, the need to develop educational materials and capacity building in many countries.

  1. Other items and announcements

Miguel reported on the work that HabitatPro is doing on behalf of the people of Peru who are being abused by foreign mining companies. He introduced Cristin Irwin who reported on the activities in favor of the miners and the people of the area of the Yanacocha Mining Company. These mines are owned by a company with ties in United States, France and Australia. The Indigenous people in the area are suffering abuse and persecution. HabitatPro has realized conferences and training programs in Peru and they have a lawyer preparing a law-suit. Their next meeting will be in Cusco, Peru.
Sharon reported that the Mongolian Representative told them at the briefing that there will be a resolution about World Rural Women.
March 25 will honor the victims of the Atlantic Slave Trade. 2008 is the 200th Anniversary of the elimination of the trade. There will be efforts to end racism, prevent mass atrocities.
In 2009 there will be a review of the Durban Conference on Racism.
Elaine Congress said that there will be a celebration March 25, of 25 years of Social Workers present at the UN.
All are invited to the Civil Society Forum, February 5, and to the Commission on Social Development, February 6-14.
Daniel reported on the Program sub-committee that met twice. There is evident need to develop a funding source for activities.


The NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples and the Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues cordially invite you to participate in a Side Event:
"Indigenous Peoples' Knowledge and Full Employment", 46th Session of the Commission for Social Development, 'Full Employment and Decent Work for All'

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008, 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM - Conference Room C, United Nations Headquarters

Featured Speakers Include:
  • Ms. Sonia Smallacombe, Moderator - Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
  • Mr. Djankou Ndjonkou - Respresentative and Director, ILO Office for the UN
  • Ms. Julia Yana - National Secretary of Rural Women's Organization "Bartoline Sisa," Aymara People, Bolivia


Topics for discussion include:
  • ILO Conventions that protect indigenous and tribal populations
  • Recognizing indigenous peoples' community based natural resource management as legitimate forms of work
  • Recognizing indigenous peoples traditional knowledge as a contribution to full employment


Special thanks to: Jo Albright, Elaine Congress, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, International Presentation Association, Loretto Community, Maryknoll Missionaries, Mary McDonald, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Corann Okorodudu, Passionists International, Tribal Link Foundation, UNANIMA International, United Confederation of Taino People, VIVAT International


December 2007 Report for CONGO
  • Current Leadership: Roberto Mucaro Borrero (Taino), Chairperson (Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources/United Confederation of Taino People); Kevin Dance, Vice-Chairperson (Passionist International); Sandy Sheridan, Communications Secretary (Sunray Meditation Society); Pamela Kraft, Treasurer (Tribal Link Foundation)


The next general election for the Committee is scheduled for December 2008
  • Current Membership: Jo Albright, Mary Knoll; Sharon Altendorf, International Presentation Association; M. Cristina Blanc-Szanton, IUAEI, Joselyn Borrero (Tlingit), International Indian Treaty Council; Mary P. Bruce, Loretto Community; Dr. Elaine Congress, International Federation of Social Workers; Amavi Joel Dossa (Togo), OVAD-AP Togo; Tom Downs, Wittenberg Center; Mary McDonald, Pax Christi; Janet Cutting Feldman, Globetree; Bernard Espiritu, VIVAT International; Anele Heiges, International Public Policy Institute; Miguel Ibanez (Quechua), HABITAT PRO Association; Dornye Kirby, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Daniel LeBlanc, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate; Sher and Kaab Malik, Indigenous Peoples Survival Foundation; Ana Martinez de Luco UNANIMA International; Dr. JoAnne Murphy, Sunray Meditation Society; Dr. Corann Okorodudu, American Psychological Association and the Society for Psych. Study of Social Issues; Denise Scotto, FIDA; Barbara James Snyder (Washoe/Paiute), Images of Peace; Rebecca Sommer, Society for Threatened Peoples; Betsy Stang, Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources; Mary Jo Toll, Sisters of Norte Dame; Marilese Tronto, International Women's Writing Guild; Sacajawea Qualla Howard, Cherokee Embassy to the Indigenous Peoples of the World; Stacy Hanrahan, Congregation of Notre Dame

  • What has the Committee done or been discussing since the last report?
  • Since the submission of our August 2007 report our Committee has continued to meet on a monthly basis, usually the 4th Thursday of the month, in cooperation with the Secretariat of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at UN DC2 and at the UN Church Center in cooperation with CONGO.
  • DPI/NGO Conference (Sept.2007): Committee members participated throughout the conference promoting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and maintaining communications with indigenous networks working toward its adoption. Committee Chairperson, Roberto Borrero was a panel participant in a side event on "Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Knowledge" and contributed an essay to the NGO/DPI 60th anniversary publication "Celebrating NGOs: 60 Years with the United Nations".
  • Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Sept.2007): Using its list serve and other networks, the Committee continued to promote indigenous perspectives on the Declaration and its ratification process. In recognition of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Committee sent letters of thanks to the President of the General Assembly, Chairperson of the Indigenous Caucus, UN Missions, and governments who played a role in accepting the Declaration.
  • Toward a World Fit for Girls: Confronting Modern Day Slavery (Dec. 2007): Program cosponsored by the Committee as part of the UNICEF event "A World Fit for Children".
  • Dec. 2007 Committee Briefing with Megan Larkin of Rossbrook House, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: This young aboriginal leader is the coordinator of women/girls program at Rossbrook House. Program supporting local youth of mixed descent including aboriginal young people.

  • What is the Committee Planning or Discussion as Future Work?
  • Our Committee will continue to hold our monthly meetings, support its working groups, and post relevant information via our Internet News List Serve
  • The Committee is planning its participation during the 7th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
  • Committee members will brief Social Development Committee in January (Indigenous Employment Issues)
  • Co-sponsoring a side-event on February 6, 2008 for the 46th Session of the Commission for Social Development entitled "Indigenous Peoples' Knowledge and Full Employment"
  • Our Committee is also developing a new informational brochure that will assist in promoting the work of the Committee.


This report has been prepared and submitted by Roberto Mucaro Borrero, Sandy Sheridan, Kevin Dance, and Pamela Kraft on behalf of the NGO Committee on the UN International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples.


August 2007 Report for CONGO Board
  • Current Leadership


Executive Committee: Roberto Mucaro Borrero (Taino), Chairperson (Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources/United Confederation of Taino People); Kevin Dance, Vice-Chairperson (Passionist International); Sandy Sheridan, Communications Secretary (Sunray Meditation Society); Pamela Kraft, Treasurer (Tribal Link Foundation)
  • Current Membership


Jo Albright, Mary Knoll; Sharon Altendorf, International Presentation Association; M. Cristina Blanc-Szanton, IUAEI, Joselyn Borrero (Tlingit), International Indian Treaty Council; Mary P. Bruce, Loretto Community; Dr. Elaine Congress, International Federation of Social Workers; Amavi Joel Dossa (Togo), OVAD-AP Togo; Tom Downs and Mary McDonald, Pax Christi; Janet Cutting Feldman, Globetree; Gretta Fernandes and Bernard Espiritu, VIVAT International; Anele Heiges, International Public Policy Institute; Miguel Ibanez (Quechua), HABITAT PRO Association; Dornye Kirby, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Daniel LeBlanc, Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate; Sher and Kaab Malik, Indigenous Peoples Survival Foundation; Ana Martinez de Luco UNANIMA International; Dr. JoAnne Murphy, Sunray Meditation Society; Dr. Corann Okorodudu, American Psychological Association and the Society for Psych. Study of Social Issues; Denise Scotto, FIDA; Barbara James Snyder (Washoe/Paiute), Images of Peace; Rebecca Sommer, Society for Threatened Peoples; Betsy Stang, Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources; Mary Jo Toll, Sisters of Norte Dame; Marilese Tronto, International Women's Writing Guild; Sacajawea Qualla Howard, Cherokee Embassy to the Indigenous Peoples of the World
  • What has the Committee done or been discussing since the last CONGO Board Meeting?


Since the submission of our February 2007 report our Committee has continued to meet on a monthly basis, usually the 4th Thursday of the month, in cooperation with the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at UN DC2.

As per our mission to help educate NGOs on issues concerning Indigenous Peoples, our Committee regularly hosted briefings from representatives of indigenous organizations or communities, as well as academic, non-indigenous, and United Nations agency representatives working in area focusing on or relevant to Indigenous Peoples. In further efforts to fulfill our mandate Committee was represented at such meetings as the Commission on Social Development. Commission on the Status of Women, and the 2007 Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
  • General Meeting Briefings: Elsa Stamatopoulou, Acting Chief, PFII Secretariat (March 29), Briefing on PFII; Rebecca Sommer, Society for Threaten Peoples (March 29), screening of work-in-progress lobby film on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Brieing on PFII with Mr. Yao Ngoran, Chief, NGO Unit Division for Social Policy and Development (April 26); Mdm. Hadja Aissa Diallo, President of CADEF (June 28). Xukuru Chief Marcos Luidson of Brazil

  • Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: During march, April and May 2007, our Committee directed much of its work focus toward the United Nations Permanent Forum in Indigenous Issues (14-25 May). We developed several working groups to facilitate special events and initiatives during the session including: Welcoming Cultural Event and Networking Reception co-sponsored with the Secretariat of the Permanent Form on Indigenous issues, and the Tribal Link Foundation (Coordinator: Pamela Kraft); Complimentary Home Stays (Coordinators: Sharon Altendorf and Anamaria de Luco); Staten Island Ferry Trip (Coordinators: Jo-Albright and Mary P. Bruce). The Committee co-sponsored a side event entitled "Land - An Essential Resource for Indigenous Peoples: A Tale of Loss and Recovery" with the International Federation of Social Workers and VIVAT International; and co-sponsored a long with Earth Peoples, the screening of the work-in-progress video "Discussions on the UN Declaration" by Rebecca Sommer (May 14). The Committee updated and re-issued its NGO Resource Guide Publication that features contact information and work summaries of NY based NGOs. This Resource Guide was developed to assist Indigenous Peoples visiting NY in locating relevant NGOs for contact and follow-up.

  • Mainstreaming Indigenous Issues (Committee Representation and Outreach): Commission for Social Development (45th Session), Civil Society Forum Roundtable (Feb. 6), Kevin Dance, moderator with Anamaria de Luco, Mary P. Bruce, Roberto Borrero: participants; Commission on the Status of Women, "The Girl Child in Indigenous Communities - Work, Violence, Vulnerability, And A Constructive Way Forward" (March 1), collaboration with the Tribal Link Foundation, The Sisters of the Good Sheppard, and VIVAT International, Kevin Dance, Moderator; International Day of Water, Celebration of God's Gift of Water (March 22) in collaboration with United Church of Christ, and the Ecumenical Working Group at the United Nations, Roberto Borrero and Kevin Dance: participants; "Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace"(March 24), sponsored by Religious NGOs, Kevin Dance, panelist; "Progress Report on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" (April 12), sponsored by the United Nations Association, R. Borrero, panelist; "Indigenous Peoples' Lands, Territories, Natural Resources: Livelihoods and Emerging Issues" (April 19), briefing in collaboration with UN Department of Public Information, R. Borrero, panelist; Letter in response to negative article on Indigenous Peoples by NY Civil Rights Coalition Leader, Michael Meyers, prepared by Kevin Dance (July); International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9 and 11), programs in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Permanent forum on Indigenous Issues and the American Museum of Natural History.


A set of Talking Points on the central issues affecting Indigenous Peoples was updated for use by members of the Committee in their advocacy efforts. The Committee has also continued to forward relevant information concerning Indigenous Peoples to a growing worldwide listing of Indigenous Peoples, United Nations representatives, and interested NGOs via its UN Indigenous News and Information List Serve. The List Serve has successfully assisted in facilitating the Committee's mandate, and currently has a subscriber's list which serves over 500 members.
  • Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Our Committee has also dedicated a part of its work focus to the promotion of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as adopted by the Human Rights Council. During our regular business meetings the Declaration was a consistent agenda item and a recurring topic of the email New List. A panel discussion and screening of the lobby film "A Work-IN-Progress: Discussions on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples" by Rebecca Sommer was screened (August 9) in collaboration with Earth Peoples.

  • Executive Committee: The EC maintains an Executive List Serve to facilitate better communication between Executive members, and increases our administrative capacity. The EC meets monthly to prepare for an agenda for general meetings, and engage in logistical and administrative follow-up. One recent example of this follow-up is the development of "Logistical Maps" for the Committee to assist in the organization of events.

  • What is the Committee Planning or Discussion as Future Work?


Our Committee will continue to hold our monthly meetings and post relevant information via our Internet News List Serve. We also plan to participate in the 60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference at United Nations Headquarters, 5-7 Sept. 2007.

Our Committee is also discussing the creation of a new working group that would suggest effective ways to increase our collaboration with other NGOs. This suggestion was made as a result of four organizations that have expressed interest in indigenous issues or with issues that directly affect indigenous cultures. These organizations include: 1.) HIVAIDS Committee, 2.) Social Development Committee, 3.) Human Rights Committee, and 4.) Sub-Committee Against Racism.

Our Committee is also looking forward to further developing its webpages generously provided by CONGO. Our next regular business meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 27 at UNDC2 from 1pm-3pm.

This report has been prepared and submitted by Roberto Mucaro Borrero, Sandy Sheridan, Kevin Dance, and Pamela Kraft on behalf of the NGO Committee on the UN International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

Publié: 2005-12-21 Mis à jour: 2009-6-17
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