Arctic Peoples

By Patricia Cochran and Taito Nakalevu

Three years ago, when a tsunami washed away the lives and livelihoods of people in South-east Asia, the rest of the world acted with commendable compassion. Tents, blankets and food were sent, reconstruction teams poured in, and people around the world sent millions of dollars to help. Now another devastating wave is threatening the lives and livelihoods of people globally - from the fringes of the Arctic to the Caribbean and the scattered islands of the South Pacific. This wave of global warming also brings devastation in its path, but it is moving so slowly that some people fail to recognize its destructive power. Arctic regions and small islands around the world are being hit hardest.
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by Clive Tesar

The United Nations has overwhelmingly passed a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration, more than 20 years in the making, passed by a vote of 143 in favour, four against, and eleven abstaining.

Of the eight Arctic states, the United States and Canada voted against the declaration, while Russia abstained. Denmark and Finland were among a large group of countries that sponsored the Declaration.

The passing of the Declaration was called a “Day of Joy” for Indigenous Peoples by Aqqaluk Lynge, representing Inuit Circumpolar Council – Greenland. Lynge added, “Now it’s time to look at the future and see how we can protect the rights of the Indigenous Peoples and using this Declaration, for the further development of Indigenous Peoples and away from marginalization into being part of the development of the whole world.”

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by Clive Tesar

A United Nations declaration affirming the rights of the world’s Indigenous Peoples has been set aside for further consultation. The declaration, which has been in negotiation for more than 20 years, was delayed after a resolution put forward by Namibia was backed by other African countries. Of the Arctic states, Canada and Russia voted in favour of Namibia’s resolution, while the United States abstained. Finland, speaking on behalf of the European Union, spoke against it, calling the move a “groundless delay”. Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden all joined Finland in voting against the delay.

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Press release from Saami Council and Finland’s Sámi Central Organization

The Government of Finland misjudged its position on Sámi issues when it became a member of the new UN Human Rights Council last spring.  On May 9, 2006, Finland was elected to the Council based on its freely given commitment to propose to its parliament, during 2006, legislation to remove all obstacles to Finland’s ratification of the ILO Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries, dealing with the unresolved rights of the Sámi over land, resources and livelihood.

So far, Finland has not fulfilled its commitment to the UN, and, thus, is treading on Sámi human rights.  A proposal of legislation, prepared by ministries in June 2006, has not been acted upon. In September, this year, the member of the Finnish Government has publicly announced that the government is not going to submit the Draft Government Bill to the Parliament.
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The UN General Secretary Kofi Annan had invited former Vice President of the United States, Mr. Al Gore, to the UN Headquarters to give a “live” version of his documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”.

“Climate change still tends to be perceived as an environmental concern. But it has profound implications for jobs, growth, health and almost all other aspects of human well-being, including security. Until we properly understand the full nature of this threat, our action will fall short.”

said Annan in his introduction.

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by Clive Tesar

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is an important milestone in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The United Nations has been working on this draft of the document for more than twenty years.

Only three of the Arctic Council nations have a seat on the Human Rights Council; Canada, Finland, and Russia. Thirty countries voted in favour of the declaration, including Finland, and twelve abstained. Canada and Russia were the only countries on the Council to vote against the declaration.

The adoption of the declaration by the Human Rights Council is a significant move, but it is not the end of the process. The document will now go to the United Nations General Assembly, where all of the states will have a vote.

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Arctic Day was an event during the United Nations Climate Change Convention meeting in Montreal. It was a joint effort between the Canadian Government and several Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (for more on this see the story below). The Arctic Athabaskan Council produced this film from the event:

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by Clive Tesar

Representatives of Permanent Participant organizations made a solid impact at recent climate change negotiations in Montreal, Canada. A space was set aside by the Government of Canada for one day during the negotiations to highlight the concerns of Arctic Peoples. As “Arctic Day” started, the room was packed with people eager to see the traditional drumming and dancing of the Inuvialuit from northern Canada, members of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference. The room remained full throughout the day, as people streamed in to see the various cultural performances, including dancers and singers from the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, drummers from the Arctic Athabaskan Council , and even an Inuit fashion show.The cultural events helped to draw people to the messages that the political Leaders had to deliver. The Leaders used speeches, as well as videos, and collections of traditional knowledge to drive across their point that climate change is already affecting the Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic, and threatens to have even stronger impacts if countries do not take firm and immediate actions to slow the rate of warming in the Arctic.
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