Caribbean Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations

UCTP Taino News (United Nations) - The Seventh Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 21 April to 2 May 2008. The special theme will be "Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges." This year’s PFII theme is especially relevant to Caribbean Indigenous Peoples, many of whom are from Small Island Developing States increasingly affected by the global climate crises.

In an effort to ensure Caribbean voices at the session, the United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) is again facilitating administrative services and program coordination for delegates planning to participate within the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean (IPCGC) at UN Forum.

See full story at: http://www.uctp.blogspot.com/

Public Notice: UNPFII 2008

Public Notice: The Seventh Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York, from 21 April to 2 May 2008. The special theme will be "Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges."

The United Confederation of Taino People (UCTP) is facilitating administrative services and activities for delegates planning to participate within the Indigenous Peoples Caucus of the Greater Caribbean (IPCGC) at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2008. Please inform the UCTP of your planned attendance and desire to participate as part of the Caucus, which is open to representatives of indigenous Caribbean Organizations and communities.

Consistent with the UNPFII procedures, the IPCGC follows an organizational structure similar to the Association of Caribbean States whereas the “Greater Caribbean” is defined here as an area of cooperation in recognition of common ancestral heritages and common geographic spaces shared by the Indigenous Peoples of the region.

Please send correspondence to the United Confederation of Taino People’s Office of International Relations and Regional Coordination at uctp_ny@yahoo.com

On behalf of the UCTP, we say bo’matum (thank you) in advance for your attention and consideration.

Issued on 21 November 2007,

UCTP Office of International Relations

and Regional Coordination,
Roberto Mucaro Borrero,
President and Chairman

UN Declaration Assists Caribbean Indigenous Peoples

Belize (UCTP Taino News) - The Supreme Court of Belize, on October 18, uses 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.

See full article at: http://uctp.blogspot.com/

Taino and Other Caribbean Indigenous Peoples Engage the United Nations System

United Nations (UCTP Taino News) - Amid the diverse delegations of Indigenous Peoples highlighting the complex issues associated with “land, territories, and natural resources” at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Caribbean Indigenous Peoples were actively presenting sound advice to Governments and intergovernmental organizations about how to meet their needs for survival. Working together in the form of the Indigenous Caucus of the Greater Caribbean (IPCGC), indigenous representatives from throughout the region presented their collective views on such topics as urban Indigenous Peoples and migration, the Second Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, and future work of the Forum.

Read the full story at:
http://uctp.blogspot.com/2007/06/taino-and-other-caribbean-indigenous.html

Indigenous Peoples Address Ways to Ensure Participation

Indigenous Peoples Address Ways to Ensure Participation
Excerpt from United Nations Press Release on 22 May 2007:

MILDRED GANDIA REYES, representing the Indigenous Caucus of the Greater Caribbean, said her organization had submitted recommendations at other sessions, but had received no follow-up. She asked the Forum to urge the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to support the recovery of Caribbean heritage, culture and writings, and, further, to sponsor special regional meetings with indigenous experts as it worked with endangered education.

She pressed States and UNESCO to provide resources to develop language and cultural exchange programmes, in order to support ancient languages that had been virtually wiped out by dominant languages. Further, she encouraged States, including Puerto Rico, to review public education material and remove erroneous historical accounts that had rendered indigenous peoples invisible, or had misrepresented them in any way. She asked Caribbean States, particularly Puerto Rico, to work with indigenous Caribbean islanders to promote indigenous human rights and ensure that Constitutions recognized them, as such. She urged the Association of Caribbean States, the Rio Group and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to establish a special regional fund for indigenous representatives, so they are able to attend Forum events throughout the Second Decade.

Source: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/hr4923.doc.htm