United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to hold Consultation at Sinte Gleska University, 

Sicangu Lakota Oyate/Rosebud Sioux Tribal Nation, South Dakota, 

May 1^st – 2^nd, 2012

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Professor James Anaya, will hold a consultation with Indigenous Peoples at Sinte Gleska University, Sicangu Lakota Oyate/Rosebud Sioux Tribal Nation, May 1^st and 2^nd, 2012, as part of his first official visit to the United States.  Traditional Treaty Councils, Tribal Governments representatives, Tribal Colleges and concerned Indigenous Peoples of all Nations are invited to attend this historic consultation, which is co-sponsored by Sinte Gleska University and the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC).

The purpose of the Special Rapporteur’s visit to the United States is to examine the situation of Indigenous Peoples in light of the inherent rights recognized and affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This and other consultations held around the country from April 23^th – May 4^th will provide an opportunity for Indigenous Peoples to share information with the Special Rapporteur on conditions that currently exist in the United States.

The Special Rapporteur, through meetings and consultations with federal, state and Indigenous governments and representatives, will assess ways in which the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the rights it affirms are currently reflected in U.S. law and policy, domestically and internationally.  He will identify areas of needed reform in light of the Declaration which contains the internationally recognized “minimum standards for the dignity, survival and well-being of the Indigenous Peoples around the world”. Following the visit, the Special Rapporteur will prepare a report containing his observations which will be made public and presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Issues addressed at this consultation will include:

1)    Treaties, land and resource rights

2)    Cultural Rights, language and protection of Sacred Sites

3)    Self-determination and self-government

4)    Food Sovereignty and environmental protection

5)    Education and health; social and economic rights

6)    Indian Child Welfare and removal of Indian Children from communities and families.

Representatives of Indigenous Nations, organizations and communities will have the opportunity to make oral submissions to the Special Rapporteur within the constraints of time. Representatives who wish to make a statement should register by email at shawn.bordeaux@sintegleska.edu, indicating the topic that they wish to address. Those who pre-register will be placed on a presenters list which will be posted prior to the meeting.   Participants can also register on site at Sinte Gleska University on May 1^st, 2012. Please note that it may not be possible for all those wishing to make a statement to do so. A more detailed agenda will be disseminated and posted in the near future. A community dinner will be provided the evening of May 1^st.

In addition to oral testimony, Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and organizations can submit written testimony to: indigenous@ohchr.org. For guidance on how to present written information to the Special Rapporteur, please visit: http://unsr.jamesanaya.org/comm/submitting-information-to-the-special-rapporteur. Written information to supplement the oral presentations will also be accepted at the consultation.

For additional information on this consultation and the Special Rapporteur’s US visit, log onto IITC’s web page: http:///www.treatycouncil.org or see IITC on Facebook.

For more information on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and for updates on the visit of the Special Rapporteur to the US, please visit: http://unsr.jamesanaya.org/.