Oxfam International Youth Partnerships indigenous

Indigenous Caucus Statement

The Indigenous Caucus was the meeting of all of the Indigenous delegates to the International Youth Parliament. Its purpose was to give voice to Indigenous delegates and to provide a forum where Indigenous delegates could discuss strategies for dealing with the issues their working groups were discussing so that an Indigenous perspective was incorporated.

During the IYP2000, Indigenous delegates developed the following statement:

Positive Impact Statement of the Indigenous Caucus

"Poverty of the soul is as great a disease as poverty of the body ... what makes some societies flourish and other perish is culture."

UNESCO, World Development Report

We wish to take the opportunity to pay special recognition for the elders and leadership that has brought us this far on our journey for the struggles of Indigenous Peoples. We acknowledge their strength, wisdom and expertise that continues to guide us towards the future. We would not be here in this form without their courage to stand for their rights.

We, the one voice of the Indigenous Caucus of the IYP2000, wish to convey the following statement with heart and utmost sincerity:

  • We strive for unity and solidarity for common causes, seeking to MOVE TOGETHER with the youth of today for the BETTERMENT of humanity as a COLLECTIVE STRENGTH;
  • We acknowledge that Indigenous Peoples are not the only persons to suffer from the denial of basic human rights or recognition;
  • We express our concern at the lack of time and resources dedicated to the discussion of Indigenous issues at the IYP2000 and acknowledge our limited productivity as a result;
  • We seek empathy of our causes and issues as Indigenous Peoples by all delegates and hope that we can ALL work together as ONE VOICE for a COMMON GOOD; and in no way intend to isolate or alienate ANY delegate of the IYP2000;
  • We ask that there be recognition that the "development" of the global world did not occur without the dispossession of Indigenous culture, peoples, land, identities and rights;
  • We understand that there exists a uniqueness in personal perceptions and individuality within the IYP2000;
  • We appreciate our interaction and the EXCHANGE OF CULTURES with other delegates and see that there is an immediate need to advance the education of our issues as well as LEARN from the experiences of others;
  • We strive as Indigenous Peoples to work FOR PEACE with the NATIONS and PEOPLES of the world in our struggle for the recognition of the right to self determination;
  • We call for the adoption of the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, in its current text without further delay;
  • We seek SOLIDARITY in this forum to peacefully co-exist with other nations and peoples in the implementation of strategies and actions relevant to Indigenous Peoples;
  • We wish to endorse and give our support as Indigenous Peoples to strategies of the Thematic Groups and Working Groups and ALLIEGE to WORK TOGETHER with all participants;
  • We understand and acknowledge that the term `culture' is subjective and may be interpreted differently by each nation and individual;
  • We acknowledge that the IYP2000 is a co-operative mechanism, promoting our strength as a UNIFIED YOUTH, extending an appreciation of difference and diversity;
  • We wish to make aware that every theme and issue that has been raised at the IYP2000 cross-cuts Indigenous issues and we all can learn from these with open minds and open hearts;
  • We seek recognition that Indigenous culture and identities are very much alive today and will continue to exist into the future;
  • We, as Indigenous Peoples, have and are making significant contributions - our knowledge, our culture, preservation of our spirituality in the changing world and our appreciation and importance of identity;
  • We acknowledge that the current IYP2000 Council and others involved are the administrative pioneers of these collective gatherings and suggest that the Council may wish to consider and respect our concerns for future reference;
  • We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the entire IYP2000 and thank the administrators (especially the Indigenous Youth Advisory Committee; Mark Yettica- Paulson, Dameeli Coates and David Newham) for their tireless efforts and guidance.

WE, AS INDIGENOUS YOUTH AND MEMBERS OF THE INDIGENOUS CAUCUS, MAKE THIS STATEMENT WITH UTMOST RESPECT TOWARDS THE IYP AND ALL DELEGATES INVOLVED.
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