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Please visit this website of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues:
https://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples/DeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples.aspx
This is about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The very first paragraph has who voted for it and who voted against it. Notice that the U.S. voted AGAINST it. When Obama was elected, the administration decided to publicly endorsed it. Also, read "Historical Overview" on the right side in the blue text box.
This website has the "plain language" version of the declaration:https://www.nativevillage.org/Inspiration-/Plain Version- Declaration.htm You can find the original language on the first website, as well. (Hard copy: Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.pdf). Read whatever version you feel comfortable with and familiarize yourself with the general premises.
For many of you, these "rights" may feel like common sense or basic freedoms in the US. Though that may be true to a certain extent, it's important to recognize that these are NOT in any way guaranteed to the majority of the world's people. Though people may not be enslaved (though human slavery continues to be a major human rights issue), various forms of oppression are endemic.
For example, having the right to practice your culture in your home, but not having the right to learn about it in your school system could be construed as an attack on indigenous rights. Watch some or all of: Banning Shakespeare: The Battle of the Tucson Mind to familiarize yourself with the banning of Mexican American Studies in the Tucson Unified School District. This was discussed at the UN Permanent Forum meeting as part of the continued extension and application of the Doctrine of Discovery. Do you see the connection between these issues?
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In this Discussion Forum:
- Share your reactions to this historic declaration. Why do you think the U.S. and the other three nations voted against it?
* And why do you think they have since changed their stance (as indicated in the second paragraph, keeping in mind that this does not change their VOTE, but they can express a post hoc endorsement)? Do you see the connection between the issue in Tucson and this Declaration? Specifically reference the part of the film you watched to support your point.
*KEEP IN MIND: Week 3's Discussion Forum about the Canadian and Australian boarding schools.
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