Comments on: Victory for Indigenous rights at the UN http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/13/victory-for-indigenous-rights-at-the-un/ The Understory is the official blog of Rainforest Action Network. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:20:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ananda http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/13/victory-for-indigenous-rights-at-the-un/comment-page-1/#comment-123710 Ananda Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:57:22 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/13/victory-for-indigenous-rights-at-the-un/#comment-123710 This a milestone in the centuries-long struggle of Indigenous Peoples to educate colonial societies on matters of peace, equity and respect. In a time when the world is desperately trying to put the brakes on an industrial economy run amok with carbon-insanity, this global recognition of the historic role of Indigenous Peoples, the First Nations around the world, is long overdue. The stark opposition voiced by the four frontier governments is of little surprise - after all, someone had to stand up for rights of the big corporations! Recognizing the rights of First Nations to govern their own lands and resources, freely and judiciously, introduces serious risk into any plans for future commercial development, whether it be logging, mining or real estate. Such global aspirations may actually lead to the popularization of other dangerous, subversive ideas like inter-generational justice, local self-sufficiency, full-cost accounting or even worse - community-based governance! What will the industrial giants of the 21st century do when they have to start measuring the impacts of their activities for the next seven generations, ensuring equitable benefits for all concerned and knocking on doors to seek Free, Prior & Informed Consent whenever they wish to access the bounty of the commons? I, for one, will look forward to being around when that day comes! To all of you sisters and brothers that have resisted, created and fought hard to bring us to this moment, salud! This a milestone in the centuries-long struggle of Indigenous Peoples to educate colonial societies on matters of peace, equity and respect.

In a time when the world is desperately trying to put the brakes on an industrial economy run amok with carbon-insanity, this global recognition of the historic role of Indigenous Peoples, the First Nations around the world, is long overdue.

The stark opposition voiced by the four frontier governments is of little surprise – after all, someone had to stand up for rights of the big corporations!

Recognizing the rights of First Nations to govern their own lands and resources, freely and judiciously, introduces serious risk into any plans for future commercial development, whether it be logging, mining or real estate.

Such global aspirations may actually lead to the popularization of other dangerous, subversive ideas like inter-generational justice, local self-sufficiency, full-cost accounting or even worse – community-based governance!

What will the industrial giants of the 21st century do when they have to start measuring the impacts of their activities for the next seven generations, ensuring equitable benefits for all concerned and knocking on doors to seek Free, Prior & Informed Consent whenever they wish to access the bounty of the commons?

I, for one, will look forward to being around when that day comes!

To all of you sisters and brothers that have resisted, created and fought hard to bring us to this moment, salud!

]]> By: Robin http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/13/victory-for-indigenous-rights-at-the-un/comment-page-1/#comment-123669 Robin Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:49:15 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/13/victory-for-indigenous-rights-at-the-un/#comment-123669 I just want to mention that RAN supporters sent over 20,000 letters to UN ambassadors supporting the declaration. I think we should all feel proud. I'm so glad we could have a role to play as this came down to the wire. I just want to mention that RAN supporters sent over 20,000 letters to UN ambassadors supporting the declaration. I think we should all feel proud. I’m so glad we could have a role to play as this came down to the wire.

]]> By: Stan http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/13/victory-for-indigenous-rights-at-the-un/comment-page-1/#comment-123488 Stan Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:35:50 +0000 http://understory.ran.org/2007/09/13/victory-for-indigenous-rights-at-the-un/#comment-123488 I'm disappointed but not surprised that my country voted against this. I'd like to read the "statement". I'm guessing it's something like "the United States fully supports Indigenous Rights, <em>in theory</em>". I’m disappointed but not surprised that my country voted against this. I’d like to read the “statement”. I’m guessing it’s something like “the United States fully supports Indigenous Rights, in theory“.

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