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TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2002

The United Nations is holding its first ever forum on indigenous people this week, more than eighty years after Hopi tribal elders sought a global audience for their issues.

Rebuffed in 1920 by what was then called the League of Nations, traditional teachings dictated that it would take four attempts before the voices of the Hopi would be heard. In New York City, whose status as an international symbol of freedom, democracy and rights has solidified since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the prophecy was fulfilled on Monday with the opening of a two-week session devoted to a wide range of issues affecting indigenous people throughout the world.

"This moment has been a long time coming," said Louise Frechette, the U.N. Deputy Secretary General in charge of the forum, which was created in 2000. "For far too long, indigenous peoples were justified in saying that their voices were smothered by the darkness of intolerance and neglect."

Representatives of hundreds of indigenous groups, tribes and nations wasted little time airing complaints well known among Native people in the United States and Canada. Land, natural resources, discrimination, colonization, the environment, education and self-determination were just some of the common issues which span international borders, languages and cultures, participants soon discovered.

"All of us have been dispossessed, oppressed and marginalized," said Kenneth Deer, a Kahnawake Mohawk journalist from Canada.

But the audience for indigenous people has turned out largely to be themselves, lamented Mary Robinson, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. While she said the session is "a dream come true for indigenous peoples," she pointed out that not many beyond those directly involved seem to care.

"Forgive me if I say that I am somewhat disappointed that there has not been more press interest in a forum that represents 300 million people worldwide," she remarked at a press briefing at the U.N. headquarters.

"These are voices that need to be heard," she added.

For Ole Henrik Magga, that means his job as chair of the permanent forum is all that much more difficult. The former university professor, a leader of the Sami people of Norway, was elected to run the group along with four vice-chairs including Mililani Trask, a Native Hawaiian activist. Willie Littlechild, a member of the Ermineskin Cree First Nation of Canada, was selected for a top position.

"This is a historic day and many of our people have worked so hard for so many years," Magga said.

The outcome of the forum and its related events, however, is unclear. There are still discussions about what types of reports, if any, will be generated.

Related Video:
Press Conference | First Meeting of Permanent Forum

Relevant Links:
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues - http://www.unhchr.ch/indigenous/forum.htm

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