CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE TRATADOS INDIOS

28^th Annual International Indian Treaty Council Conference

Pu’uhonua o Waimanalo Village, Oahu Hawai’I

Statement on Genocide and Colonization, Treaties and Agreements, Traditional Self –Determination and Self Government, and Development and Trade

1. The Commission on the above cited themes noted the fraud and illegality of the referendums conducted by the United States resulted in the Statehood of Alaska and Hawaii. The Commission discussed the genocide and ethnocide perpetrated on Indigenous Peoples that has accompanied colonization.

The Commission agreed that the IITC should continue to support the re-listing of Alaska as a Non Self Governing Territories under Article 73 of the United Nations Charter.

The Commission also agreed that the IITC should support the call by the Sovereign Nation of Hawaii for a Constitutional Convention for Hawaii.

The Commission discussed the gross and massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous Peoples in their colonization, and the violent acts directed against them, constituting genocide and ethnocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. It recommends strongly that the IITC,, seek and support the international prosecution and the  bringing to justice in international forums, of each and all perpetrators of these crimes and violent acts against Indigenous Peoples whether individuals or States, wherever they are found.

The Commission also recommends that the IITC work for the continuation of the United Nations Committee on Decolonization, until the Sacred Trust of the United Nations, the decolonization of all Indigenous Peoples, is accomplished.

2. The Commission recommends that the IITC continue raising the issue of Treaties and Agreements between Indigenous Peoples and States, and their respect and observance by the States. The IITC should promote a world conference on the UN Treaty Study with a view of implementing its conclusions and recommendations. The Commission noted the non-observance of treaties, and the resultant violations of human rights, whether they be the denial of the right of Self Determination, the loss of land and territories the environment and natural resources. The Commission recommends that the IITC should prioritize the filing of complaints before appropriate international human rights courts and commissions, Treaty Monitoring Bodies, Special Rapporteurs or Working Groups or other fora. The IITC should form a bureau or office for the filing of human rights violations complaints.

3. The Commission also discussed the implementation of self determination and self governmental systems, including but not limited to Traditional Values and Cultural Heritage. There was much discussion and agreement that Indigenous self-government and self determination should be based upon traditional Indigenous teachings, songs and beliefs and world views. The Commission recommends that the IITC should promote and support self government based upon our traditions and teachings, beginning with our families and communities, reaching to our political leadership. Indigenous teachings never stop. They are a book that is never closed. They are an important part of Self Determination and the Decolonization process for Indigenous Peoples.

In this respect, the Commission wishes to warmly congratulate the Kuna Peoples of Kuna Yala on their wisdom and the use of traditional ways in their self government and recommends that the IITC send a delegation to the 100^th anniversary of Uxtupu, Kuna Yala, to celebrate their historical traditional continuity.

The Commission recommends that the IITC revitalize its circle of elders to assist its work and the promotion and protection of Indigenous self governments, consistent with traditional teachings and world views.

4. It was also agreed by the Commission that the creation of wealth is not a bad thing if it contributes to the collective well being of Indigenous Peoples. Financial resources are necessary for the full exercise of self government and self sufficiency. The Commission recommends that the IITC continue to support the economic well being of Indigenous Peoples and the exercise of their right to development according to their own world views.

The Commission also recommends that IITC support the promotion of trade between Indigenous Nations.

The Commission considered the gross and massive violations of human rights caused by governmental and transnational development schemes that continue the theft or ruination of Indigenous lands, territories and the environment, the loss of sacred sites, the displacement of Indigenous Peoples from their lands, and the resultant loss of language, culture, religious practice and identity. The Commission noted that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other bi-lateral and multilateral international trade agreements and international trade organizations as particularly detrimental to Indigenous Peoples in all respects. The Commission recommends that the IITC file communications and complaints with appropriate United Nations and Organization of American States human rights mechanisms on these violations on behalf of Indigenous Peoples, and provide technical assistance and support in filing of these complaints or communications, as requested by Indigenous Peoples, Nations or their organizations.