UN Declaration Assists Indigenous Peoples

Belize (UCTP Taino News) - The Supreme Court of Belize, on October 18, cites the recently adopted United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples to justify its decision upholding the rights of Mayan People to their traditional lands. The Supreme Court decision involved the Maya villages of Conejo and Santa Cruz and noted that their customary land tenure practices give rise to property rights that are protected under the Constitution of Belize. The Court found that that the failure of the government of Belize to recognize and protect those rights constitute a violation of the constitutional protections of property, equality, life and security of the person. The judgment, which took approximately two and a half hours to read, affirmed that Belize is obligated not only by the Constitution but also by international treaty and customary law - including the recent United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - to respect and protect Maya customary land rights. The decision is being hailed as a landmark in Belize as well as throughout the Caribbean region and beyond as it is the first judgment applied specifically to the United Nations' declaration, which was adopted Sept. 13 by the U.N. General Assembly. The victory is expected to result in more protections and land rights for Indigenous People in Belize and potentially affects more than 40 Maya villages. Community leaders are calling it Mayan Independence Day. Source: The Voice of the Taino People Online http://www.uctp.blogspot.com/

Congo Pygmies Use Technology to Preserve Their Lands

Dakar-- In an unusual allience with Africa's largest logging company, Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) owned by Denmark's DLH group, and other international partners, northern Congo's Mbendjele Yaka People are tapping into technology as a means of preserving forest areas crucial to their survival. Armed with hand-held Global Positioning Systems (GPS) this pygmie group ventures through their sacred lands and digitally enters into the GPS device the whereabouts of forest areas and trees that they want preseved."It's essentially a process by which the traditional rights of the pygmies can be respected and protected," said Scott Poynton, executive director of the Tropical Forest Trust, which works to promote responsible forest management in the world."The sets have icons on them, so they don't have to be able to read and write. They basically go out and say OK, click, here is a sacred site, and a GPS point is taken and links up to the satellite... And suddenly, you've got a map... It's a wonderful partnership between very poor, disenfranchised traditional people and a large company that's saying we want to do things the right way," Poynton said. To read more about this unique relationship, please visit http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/101407G.shtml

Special Film Screening, October 22 & 23

'Standing Silent Nation' is a compelling documentary film that chronicals the story of the White Plumes, a Native American family on the Pine Ridge Reservation, as they assert their sovereignty through the growing of industrial hemp, in order to create economic independence. The screenings will be hosted by Deborah and Alex White Plume and special community dialogues will be taking place. Everyone is encouraged to experience this special event. I look forward to seeing you there! For more information on the event, you may contact OWE-AKU, BRING BACK THE WAY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND JUSTICE GROUP at iamkent@vorizon.net. THE SCREENINGS WILL TAKE PLACE Monday, October 22, 2007--American Indian Community House--7:00 pm 11 Broadway (Take 4 or 5 train to Bowling Green)212-598-0100 Tuesday, October 23, 2007--International Action Center--7:00 pm 55 West 17th Street, 5th floor, 212-633-6646

Tribal Link Foundation

Welcome to Tribal Link Foundation's online news source! This blog has been set up to share with our friends and supporters the achievments and challenges of the world's indigenous communities. For those of you who are not aware of Tribal Link we are a communications network linking indigenous peoples to information, media, resources and relevent networks, with a special focus on the United Nations system. Tribal Link provides information to the public regarding indigenous peoples and their issues, emphasizing the significance of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Since 1993, we have been working to support the world's indigenous peoples by organizing events and forums where indigenous peoples can publicize their issues; ensuring that indigenous peoples are informed and included in major UN and other forums, conferences and dialogues; mobilizing media professionals to publicize issues critical to tradtional peoples and their culture; arranginging hospitality programs and providing enriching cross-cultural exchanges; coordinating capacity building workshops focusing on indigenous peoples' participation within the international system. We also work to ensure that the vital contribution of indigenous spiritual knowledge is included in major UN conferences, commissions and other events.