The 23rd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) convened at UN Headquarters in New York City on Monday, April 15. New York City lies on the traditional lands of the Lenape people.
The theme of this year’s ten-day conference is, “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”.
Chief Jake Edwards, an Indigenous elder of the Onondaga nation, delivered a speech in the Onondaga language at the opening ceremony. Other Indigenous peoples from regions and territories around the world also provided remarks to the forum’s discussion on youth and self-determination.
While the event is attended by hundreds of people who identify as Indigenous and belong to recognized groups, it also includes individuals who claim Native ancestry, but whose homelands have not been recognized by the national government. In addition, Taiwan, which is not a member of the UN, had a presence both in and outside the UN during the meeting.
In the UN, a member of the Tsou (Cou) peoples in central Taiwan joined other Indigenous advocates. Outside the UN, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York hosted parallel events, including a preparatory Meeting of the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus as well as a session on Indigenous Peoples and Our Self-Determination: Asserting Our Rights and Overcoming Challenges at Home and Abroad.
China, which ratified the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and sits on the Permanent Forum, but which denies the existence of Indigenous peoples in the country, instead referring to them as “minority nationalities”, expressed support for self-determination, but did not provide a venue for side events and was not represented by an Indigenous person.
During the first week, Indigenous voices brought forth numerous concerns over climate change, natural resources, land, water, suicide, repatriation, and criminalization, among other risks and violations. Although the Forum cannot give Indigenous peoples control over their areas, it can provide official recommendations and pressure governments to listen as an advisory body to the UN Economic and Social Council.
UNPFII was established in 2000 with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. The annual conference will end April 26, 2024, and announce the proposed theme for next year’s session.