HO'OULU LĀHUI ALOHA - TO RAISE A BELOVED NATION

Indigenous rights at
the United Nations

By Nara Cardenas / OHA Community Outreach Specialist

On Sept. 25, the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies sponsored a panel discussion on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP). The panel, moderated by professor Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa, included Mililani Trask, who was instrumental in drafting the document, Julian Aguon, Kyle Kajihiro, Joshua Cooper and Keali'i Gora. It was structured to give a good context of the DRIP, some real-world problems that the document can be applied to, a brief explanation of structure and the political climate at the international level, and an example of the practical application of the rights specified in the document affecting changes in policy and direction in the UH system.

The DRIP was passed Sept. 13, 2007, by 143 nations in the U.N. General Assembly; only four nations voted against it: Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. It will change the relationships between States and indigenous peoples around the world. The declaration codifies the collective rights of indigenous peoples, who had previously been afforded only individual human rights. Acknowledging indigenous peoples as peoples as opposed to populations, the Declaration affirms the power of indigenous peoples to protect their lands, cultures, languages and traditions. The document addresses every human-rights issue important to the self-determination of indigenous peoples, while at the same time affording indigenous peoples the flexibility to choose to participate fully in the life and culture of the states they reside in.

Native Hawaiians can be proud of this advancement, as there are many Hawaiians who have worked diligently at the United Nations alongside representatives of indigenous peoples from all over the globe. We have contributions to make to the world, and they have taken the lead.

The panel discussion will be aired on 'Ōlelo. Check your local listings for dates and times. More public discussions and presentations on indigenous issues at the United Nations are in the works – we'll do our best to keep you posted. If you're interested, email hla@oha.org.

For more on DRIP, visit www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/declaration.html.