Articles 18-21, 23-24
18) Indigenous peoples have the right to participate in decision making that affects them.
A highway is being built from India to Burma. It cuts through the traditional territory of many different Indigenous peoples who have not participated in the decision making about this road. Sadly, many do not know that they have the right to oppose the project.
19) Indigenous peoples must be consulted in matters that concern them.
Free, prior and informed consent is required from Indigenous communities before projects start that could affect their land, resources or community.
Free: without bribes or threats
Prior: before the project starts
Informed consent: people understand how they could be affected and what their options are
Too many governments and corporations do not respect the idea of free, prior and informed consent.
Ruth Buendía Mestoquiari comes from the Asháninka Indigenous peoples of Peru. She is working within the law to defend her community from a mega-dam project. The government did not use the principal of free, prior and informed consent. The construction of the dam has been stopped for now.
20) Indigenous peoples have the right to their own political, economic and social systems.
It is important to remember that Indigenous peoples had complex political, economic and social systems before colonization. Often colonization and assimilation was justified under the false idea that Indigenous peoples had no social order and were running wild in the wilderness. Indigenous peoples had and continue to have complex political, economic and social systems.
21) Indigenous peoples have the right to improve economic and social conditions.
Aboriginal Independent Community Schools are located throughout western Australia. They improve the social condition by providing culturally appropriate education to local Indigenous communities. I believe that Indigenous education is the key to improving the economic and social conditions of Indigenous peoples.
Here a few economic initiatives, independent businesses, by Indigenous peoples that are really exciting because they are using traditional culture in innovative ways.
22) Go to the Indigenous women page
23) Indigenous peoples have the right to develop their communities in ways that benefit them.
The Nk’mip Resort is located on the traditional territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band. The development that is driven by the community provides hundreds of jobs to community members. Not without controversy, the communities developments are attracting observers from around the world.
24) Indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and health practices and a right to access the dominate state health care system.
This is a positive example from India about the use of traditional medicines. The community can access their traditional medicine and has benefited from the commercial sale of it. This has encouraged more people to grow Indigenous medicines.
Reflection and Activities
1) Are there mines, dams, pipelines or highways in your area? Try to find out about the Indigenous peoples who lived on the land before these projects were built. What was the process of relocating them? Did they have free, prior, informed consent?
2) Are there Indigenous owned companies in your area? What do they sell?
3) What barriers could prevent Indigenous peoples from accessing their traditional medicine? What barriers can prevent Indigenous peoples from accessing the mainstream health care system?
4 responses to “Participation and Development”