"December 16, 2010, President Barack Obama announced United States support of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. With that pronouncement, there is now no country in the world that opposes the rights of indigenous peoples to exist as distinct peoples and to secure their own future.

Today, Native nations remain steadfast in pushing for full implementation of the UN Declaration by seeking changes in federal laws and regulations to restore tribal jurisdiction to address violence against Native women locally, to regain control over Native lands and resources, and to promote economic development.

A major opportunity for reform occurred with the creation of the Indian Trust Reform Commission. Members of the Commission convened for the first time in March and have since been busy meeting with tribal leaders and others to develop and propose recommendations for the reform of the trust relationship with the federal government. Recommendations are expected to be forthcoming in 2013."

Get the Story:
Robert T. Coulter: Two Years Later: Native Nations Pushing for Implementation of the UN Declaration (Indian Country Today 12/15)