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Cry of the First Nations: The Iroquois Issue

Author Dave Pape, I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

There does not seem to be one definitive definition of indigenous people, but generally indigenous people are those that have historically belonged to a particular region or country, before its colonization or transformation into a nation state, and may have different—often unique—cultural, linguistic, traditional, and other characteristics to those of the dominant culture of that region or state.

In many parts of the world, indigenous peoples suffer from a history of discrimination and exclusion that has left them on the margins of the larger societies in which they exist. For this reason, they face great difficulties in maintaining and developing their own models of development and wellbeing and are consequently disproportionately affected by poverty and exclusion. Under the basic principles of universality, equality and non – discrimination, indigenous peoples are entitled to the full range of rights established under international law. However, indigenous peoples, as collectivities, have distinct and unique cultures and world views, and their current needs and aspirations for the future may differ from those of the mainstream population. Their equal worth and dignity can only be assured through the recognition and protection of not only their individual rights, but also their collective rights as distinct groups. It is when these rights are asserted collectively that they can be realized in a meaningful way. This has led to the development of a separate body of international instruments for the recognition and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.

The rights of Native nations to govern themselves independently has long been recognized by federal treaties, but the extent of that recognition beyond U.S borders is under challenge in a post-Sept. 11 world. After initially refusing to accept Iroquois-issued passports because the documents lack security features, the State Department gave the team a one-time waiver.

International human rights instruments are not enough to guarantee the survival, wellbeing and dignity of indigenous peoples, even if they have a great importance for the protection of their rights. Most international human rights instruments protect the rights of the individual. Indigenous peoples need the recognition of specific collective rights for their survival as human groups. These rights include indigenous peoples’ rights to their lands, territories and resources, to maintain their cultures, to recognition of their distinct identities, to self-government and self – determination, and to be asked for their free, prior and informed consent in decisions that may affect them. Such rights are considered the minimum standards for the protection of their survival as distinct peoples and are intended to address the challenges most indigenous peoples face around the world.

In the news in the United States American Indian lacrosse team’s refusal to travel on passports not issued by the Iroquois confederacy goes to the heart of one of the most sensitive issues in Indian Country — sovereignty. The trend among nations is that there is increased multi – culturalism and renewed focus on indigenous peoples, particularly their needs and wants.

July 21, 2010 - Posted by windowmelodies | News | Indian Country, indigenous people, Iroquis, United States American Indian lacrosse team