This was a meeting of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.  Chair Ms. Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine met with Indigenous peoples representatives and Member States from North America.  The dialogue concentrated on relevant issues in the North American region, and sharpening the focus and impact of the Indigenous Forum’s analyses and recommendations.

Some objectives in this meeting included: implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples at national levels; advancement on the rights of Indigenous peoples at regional and international levels; promotion and protection of regional Indigenous languages; and, the identification of specific thematic areas or emerging issues for future Permanent Forum sessions.

During the discussion, the Indigenous Peoples Forum recommended that Member States, UN-Women and UNICEF provide financial support for an electoral initiative for Indigenous women and youth.  Afterwards, the Forum recommended that representatives establish legal frameworks that respect Indigenous community media. Finally, the Forum further requested that the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) provide guidance to organize mutual learning events with other regional commissions.  In summary, the meeting was a rich dialogue that effectively discussed issues surrounding the protection of Indigenous peoples in our world.

Meeting: Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Date/Location: Wednesday, April 25, 2018; 10:00-13:00; Security Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY

Speakers: Ms. Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Alvaro Pop, Executive Secretary FILAC and co-chair of IASG; František Ružička, Chef de Cabinet, Office of the President of the 72nd Session of the General Assembly; Melanie Benjamin, Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Minnesota)

Written By: WIT Representatives David Jansen, Soobin Lee, June Hong