The annual meeting of the United Nations subcommission’s Working Group on Indigenous Populations was held in Geneva July 22-26. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the WGIP. The occassion was certainly com-memerated, but unfortunately, celebrating was the farthest thing from the minds of participants, due to the uncertainty of WGIP’s future.

Stephanie Grant of the office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights opened the inagural sesssion. Professor Miguel Alfonso Martinez was elected Chairman of the WGIP. The WGIP took the opportunity at the 20th session to review the developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous Peoples. One of the principal themes explored was ”The Working Group and Indigenous peoples: achievements in the United Nations system and a vision for the future” (agenda item 4a). Kenneth Deer of the Assembly of First Nations opened the interventions, highlighting the extensive work done on the Draft Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples the creation of the voluntary fund, the crucial work in the areas of health; environment, land and sustainable development; education and language; children and youth. He pointed out that much progress has been made over the past 20 years, but added, ”there remains much to do before we achieve our rightful place within the interna- tional community and in societies where we still suffer the worst levels of poverty, landless-ness and social dispossession.”

Indigenous Peoples from around the world spoke out on Agenda item 4b regarding the right to development including Participation in development affecting them. They reported on the devestation at home caused by various development projects. Judge Guisse called for action, ”We must remember this rapid exploitation is carried out by Trans National Companies that obey no rules or standards, despite the profits they may gain from exploitation. They only obey the laws of the market. We call upon all consciences to consider rapidly setting up a legal framework in which standards can govern the actions of TNC, which are currently exploiting these lands. The framework in which there will be binding standards and penalties. Exploitation is liquidating and eliminating the IPs.”

Item 4c was added to the agenda to cover the future working relationship between the PF, the Special Rapporteur and the WGIP. A report on the Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues was presented and the uniqueness of the mandate of each, clearly outlined.

Item 5 Reviewed recent developments pertaining to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous people: general Statements, including land issues, education and health.
Agenda item 6 covered Standard-setting responsibilities as part of the WGIP mandate.
The International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, including information related to the Voluntary Fund for the Inter-national Decade of the World’s Indigenous People and the report of the Advisory Group were also discussed.

On Thursday morning a special cultural presentation was organized by the Indigenous Fellowes currently working at the UN. The event was held on the grounds of the Palais des Nations and was opened by Mary Robinson, the outgoing High Commissioner for Human Rights. The program showcased cultural performances of music, singing and dancing from the Indigenous Peoples Representing each region.

In addition to the formal agenda, the WGIP provides tremendous informal opportunities for the Indigenous Peoples. UN bodies and NGOs hold parallel events on various topics during the afternoon break each day. The Indigenous Peoples also meet informally amongst themselves to discuss regional issues, topics in common, lessons learned and strategies for the future. The contacts made and the information shared are invaluable to these people, many of whom live in some form of isolation.

Over 900 delegates participated in the week long event. With the future of the WGIP in jeapordy, the Indigenous Peoples from around the world came together with the task of ensuring continued support of the WGIP by UN States. They were unified in their misssion to protect their direct access to the UN and save their most valued forum, the WGIP.

The UNPO provided Training during the Indigenous Peoples Preparatory Meeting on Sunday, prior to the start of the WGIP. The Training was titled Techniques & Tactics for Advocacy Campaigns at the United Nations. The course material was developed by Dr. Joshua Cooper of the Hawain Institute for Human Rights and has been delivered by him to new participants in the WGIP for several years. The training was also presented in Spanish by Estebancio Castro of the KUNA Nation.

The main objective of this training is to familiarize representatives with the structure and procedures of the UN bodies, especially as they relate to Indigenous Peoples. This improves their ability to participate and increases their effectiveness with the UN human rights bodies. Procedural aspects, diplomatic skills and lobbying are all addressed in the training. Additionally, an overview of basic terminology and relevent declarations and conventions are discussed. The training is targeted to first timers at the WGIP, but as the topics are so relevant to the IPs, there were several farmiliar faces in the room.

Since 1992, by request of the indigenous participants, UNPO has provided the service of monitoring and preparing daily summary reports on the WGIP. Once again, UNPO staff attended the WGIP to produce the Monitor. Each day, the statements and interventions were collected, summarized and compiled for the Indigenous Peoples. Special thanks to this year’s editorial team; Eduardo Welsh, Suzy Faulkner, Joshua Cooper, Monica Castelo and Blaize Pantel.