Working Group on Indigenous Populations:
Review of developments

As a way of evaluating the present situation of Indigenous Populations across the world, the participants were asked to share their views on the development of Indigenous Peoples rights as a continuation of yesterday afternoon's general debate.

Tuesday morning's session began with a talk by Mr. Magga (President of the Permanent Forum). He drew attention to the report from the forum's second session and emphasized the need for the continuation of dialogue and cooperation between the forum, the working group and the special rapporteur on subject relating to indigenous populations (particularly children and youth) and with respect to armed conflict.

A general debate and general statements by numerous participants followed Mr. Magga's statements. One of the participants, Mr. Sergio Gualinga of CONAI Sarayaku pointed out that the knowledge of indigenous people in the Amazon is being lost as a result of the destruction of the forest and excessive exploitation of the land. CONAI Sarayaku proposes that new alternative ways of life be sought as well as new programs in order to protect the Amazon and the peoples' knowledge. This could potentially happen by two proposed methods: 1) converting the Amazon into a protected area that promotes an environmentally friendly tourism; and 2) creating a centre for the development of the use of traditional crafts and the exchange of experience and financing.

Mr. Sheldon Cardinal Sago of Haudenosaunee Confederacy indicated that Canada does not recognize the true government of the Haudenosaunee that supports and maintains the Chief and Council system that they imposed on the people. Mr. Cardinal Sago further stressed Canada's use of genocidal practices towards the Haudenosaunee people. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy demands the UN to recognize this sovereignty, to tell Canada to cease and desist its genocidal practices and to respect the treaties made with various countries.

Finally, this meeting ended with Mr. Guissé's presentation on the main theme of this session entitled "Indigenous Peoples and Globalisation". He emphasised the need to look at the historical background of the indigenous populations because native populations in several countries suffer adverse situations as a result of the dominance inflicted upon them during the colonization. During colonization, their lands were taken away from them and they were stripped of all economical, social and cultural rights. Guissé defined the negative consequences of globalisation by stressing the role of the transnational corporations, which exploit the natural resources of the indigenous people. He claimed that these corporations were therefore responsible for the destruction for the environment in which they live in, climatic changes and increasing health and educational problems.

Although some positive efforts have been made in certain countries to promote and protect the rights of indigenous populations, there is still a great deal of progress to be made.

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