date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 14:07:35 -0500 from: Tony Socci (by way of mmaccrac@earth.usgcrp.gov \(Mike MacCracken\)) subject: COP-4 FCCC INDIGENOUS DECLARATION to: nainfo.teams@earth.usgcrp.gov FYI--This declaration was prepared by Native Peoples participating in the Albuquerque workshop. It has been forwarded to the COP-4 meeting in Buenos Aires. Mike >>Global climate change and warming issue. Indigenous voice. >>The Indigenous Peoples of the Turtle Island of North America recently >completed a four day gathering, "Circles of Wisdom," Native Peoples/Native >Homelands Climate Change Workshop held in Albuquerque, New Mexico within >what is known as the United States. The Indigenous Peoples of North America >sent over 180 delegates to share ideas on the impact of climate change and >climate variability on Indigenous Peoples and all life on Mother Earth. The >Indigenous Peoples worked together to offer solutions to reduce global >warming and contribute to the restoration of sustainable economies on Native >homelands for our future generations. >> >>This gathering was a historic gathering that enabled a meeting between the >Indigenous elders, governmental, environmental, educators and many other >community leaders and United States scientists involved in identifying the >impacts of climate change. Both advice and action were offered from >spiritual and scientific perspectives to restore balance to Mother Earth. >The gathering provided a teaching and reminder to the scientists working on >climate change issues that these things were foreseeen and global warming is >being caused by unsustainable technologies and developments throughout the >world. >>> >>>We have been delegated as an ad hoc group of the Indigenous Peoples in >attendance at this gathering to prepare and send the following ALBUQUERQUE >DECLARATION to appropriate contacts in attendance at the Conference of the >Parties Four (COPs-4) at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate >Change (FCCC) being held in Buenos Aries, Argentina, November 2-13, 1998. >We are requesting the FCCC allow a voice for Indigenous Peoples be added to >the global discussions on the impacts of climate imbalance to all life on >the sacred Mother Earth. >> >>On behalf of the delegates at this Albuquerque gathering (partial list of >delagates attached), we are sending this ALBUQUERQUE DECLARATION throughout >the world for global dissemination. The words within the PREAMBLE and other >parts of this declaration is a CALL FOR ACTION that the people of the world >must open their eyes to the dangerous situation ALL humans are in - if we >continue this path of unsustainable developments - we may not have a future >for our children. >> >>Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper, Chief, Onondaga Nation >>Tom "Mato Awanyankapi" Goldtooth, National Coordinator, Indigenous >Environmental Network (IEN) >>Patrick Spears, President, and Bob Gough, Secreatary, Intertribal Council >on Utility Policy (ICOUP) >>Jackie Warledo, Field Representative, International Indian Treaty Council >(IITC) >> >>*************************************************************************** >> >>THE ALBUQUERQUE DECLARATION >> >>FROM THE "CIRCLES OF WISDOM" NATIVE PEOPLES / NATIVE HOMELANDS CLIMATE >CHANGE WORKSHOP-SUMMIT, NOVEMBER 1, 1998,ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO >> >>TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CONFERENCES OF THE PARTIES FOUR (COP-4) OF THE >UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (FCCC), BUENOS, >AIRES, ARGENTINA, NOVEMBER 2-13, 1998 >> >> >>PREAMBLE >> >>As Indigenous Peoples, we begin each day with a prayer, bringing our minds >together in thanks for every part of the natural world. We are grateful >that each part of our natural world continues to fulfill the >responsibilities that have been set for it by our Creator, in an unbreakable >relationship to each other. As the roles and responsibilities are fulfilled, >we are allowed to live our lives in peace. We are grateful for the natural >order put in place and regulated by natural laws. >> >>Most of our ceremonies are about giving thanks, at the right time and in >the right way. They are what was given to us, what makes us who we are. They >enable us to speak about life itself. Maintaining our ceremonies is an >important part of our life. There is nothing more important than preserving >life, celebrating life, and that is what the ceremonies do. Our instruction >tells us that we are to maintain our ceremonies, however few of us there >are, so that we can fulfil the spiritual responsibilities given to us by the >Creator. >> >>The balance of men and women is the leading principle of our wisdom. This >balance is the creative principle of Father Sky and Mother Earth that >fosters life. In our traditions, it is women who carry the seeds, both of >our own future generations and of the plant life. It is women who plant and >tend the gardens, and women who bear and raise the children. The women >remind us of our connection to the earth, for it is from the earth that life >comes. >> >>We draw no line between what is political and what is spiritual. Our >leaders are also our spiritual leaders. In making any law, our leaders must >consider three things: the effect of their decisions on peace; the effect on >the natural order and law; and the effect on future generations. The natural >order and laws are self-evident and do not need scientific proof. We believe >that all lawmakers should be required to think this way, that all >constitutions should contain these principles. >> >>Our prophecies and teachings tell us that life on earth is in danger of >coming to an end. We have accepted the responsibility designated by our >prophecies to tell the world that we must live in peace and harmony and >ensure balance with the rest of Creation. The destruction of the rest of >Creation must not be allowed to continue, for if it does, Mother Earth will >react in such a way that almost all people will suffer the end of life as we >know it. >> >>A growing body of western scientific evidence now suggests what Indigenous >Peoples have expressed for a long time: life as we know it is in danger. We >can no longer afford to ignore the consequences of this evidence. We must >learn to live with this shadow, and always strive towards the light that >will restore the natural order. How western science and technology is being >used needs to be examined in order for Mother Earth to sustain life. >> >>Our Peoples and lands are a scattering of islands within a sea of our >neighbors, the richest material nations in the world. The world is beginning >to recognize that today's market driven economies are not sustainable and >place in jeopardy the existence of future generations. It is upsetting the >natural order and laws created for all our benefit. The continued >extraction and destruction of natural resources is unsustainable. >> >>There is a direct relationship between the denial of Indigenous Peoples >land and water rights, along with the appropriation without consent of >Indigenous Peoples' natural resources, and the causes of global climate >change today. Examples include deforestation, contamination of land and >water by pesticides and industrial waste, toxic and radioactive poisoning, >military and mining impacts. >> >>The four elements of fire, water, earth and air sustain all life. These >elements of life are being destroyed and misused by the modern world. Fire >gives life and understanding, but is being disrespected by technology of the >industrialized world that allows it to take life such as the fire in the >coal-fired powered plants, the toxic waste incinerators, the fossil-fuel >combustion engine and other polluting technologies that add to greenhouse >gases. Coal extraction from sacred earth is being used to fuel the >greenhouse gases that are causing global climate warming. >> >>Because of our relationship with our lands, waters and natural surroundings >which has sustained us since time immemorial, we carry the knowledge and >ideas that the world needs today. We know how to live with this land: we >have done so for thousands of years. We are a powerful spiritual people. It >is this spiritual connection to Mother Earth, Father Sky, and all Creation >that is lacking in the rest of the world. >> >>Our extended family includes our Mother Earth, Father Sky, and our brothers >and sisters, the animal and plant life. We must speak for the plants, for >the animals, for the rest of Creation. It is our responsibility, given to us >by our Creator, to speak on their behalf to the rest of the world. >> >>For the future of all the children, for the future of Mother Earth and >Father Sky, we call upon the leaders of the world, at all levels of >governments, to accept responsibility for the welfare of future generations. >Their decisions must reflect their consciousness of this responsibility and >they must act on it. We demand a place at the table in discussions that >involve and effect our future and the natural order and natural laws that >govern us. >> >>THEREFORE >> >>We, the participants in the "Circles of Wisdom" Native Peoples / Native >Homelands Climate Change Workshop, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico of the >United States, in the traditional territory of the Pueblo Peoples, express >profound concern for the well being of our sacred Mother Earth and Father >Sky and the potential consequences of climate imbalance for our Indigenous >Peoples and the significance of these consequences for our communities, our >environment, our economies, our culture and our relationships to the natural >order and laws. >> >>Indigenous prophecy now meets scientific prediction. What we have known and >believed, you also now know: The Earth is out of balance. The plants are >disappearing, the animals are dying, and the very weather --rain, wind, fire >itself -- reacts against the actions of the human being. For the future of >the children, for the health of our Mother Earth, Father Sky, and rest of >Creation, we call upon the people of the world to hold your leaders >accountable. >> >>We submit this declaration to the Fourth Conference of the Parties (COP-4) >to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) being >held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 2-13, 1998. We wish to add our >voices to ongoing global discussions regarding the impact of climate >imbalance on forests, oceans, plants, animals, fish, humans and biodiversity. >> >>PRINCIPLES >> >>The following principles are self-evident and guide our beliefs and actions. >> >>· Mother Earth, Father Sky, and all of Creation, from microorganisms to >human, plant, trees, fish, bird, and animal relatives are part of the >natural order and regulated by natural laws. Each has a unique role and is >a critical part of the whole that is Creation. Each is sacred, respected, >and a unique living being with its own right to survive, and each plays an >essential role in the survival and health of the natural world. >> >>· As sovereign Peoples and Nations, we have an inherent right to >self-determination, protected through inherent rights and upheld through >treaties and other binding agreements. As Indigenous Peoples, our consent >and approval are necessary in all negotiations and activities that have >direct and indirect impact on our lands, ecosystems, waters, other natural >resources and our human bodies. >> >>· Human beings are part of the natural order. Our role and responsibility, >as human beings, is to live peacefully and in a harmonious balance with all >life. Our cultures are based on this harmony, peace and ecological balance >which ensures long term sustainability for future generations. This concept >of sustainability must be the basis of the decisions and negotiations >underway on national and international levels. >> >>· The Creator has entrusted us a sacred responsibility to protect and care >for the land and all of life, as well as to safeguard its well being for >future generations to come. >> >>· Indigenous Peoples have the right and responsibility to control access to >our traditional knowledge, innovations and practices, which constitute the >basis for the maintenance of our lifestyles and future [The Draft >Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples]; >> >>CONCLUSIONS >> >>Indigenous Peoples of North America were invited by neither the United >States nor Canada to participate in the negotiations of the United Nations >Convention on Climate Change. >> >>In June 1997, more than 2,000 U.S. scientists, from over 150 countries, >including Nobel Laureates, signed the Scientists Statement on Global Climate >Disruption which reads, in part, the "accumulation of greenhouses gases >commits the sacred earth irreversibly to further global climate change and >consequent ecological, economic, social and spiritual disruption" >(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, December 1995). Climate >imbalance will cause the greatest suffering to the Indigenous peoples and >most pristine ecosystems globally. >> >>The migration of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) through the air and >water pathways continues from warmer southern climates to the colder >climates of the Great Lakes and Arctic climates of North America and the >Arctic Circle. Increased temperatures and persistent organic pollutants >(POPs) disproportionately impact indigenous Peoples, through their food web >systems, causing health and ecosystem impacts. >> >>Within the next 20 years, temperatures over land areas of North America, >Europe and Northern Asia will increase as much as 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit >over today's normal temperatures, well in excess of the global average (IPCC >Report 1998). This increase in temperature will cause the sea level to rise >(5-25 feet over the next 500 years), drying out North America's soil >moisture (20 - 50%), and result in major increases in the summer heat index >(10 - 25 degrees F). >> >>The burning of oil, gas, and coal ("fossil fuels") is the primary source of >human-induced climate change. The increasing demand and use of fossil fuels >continues to have adverse impacts on natural forests. Natural forests are >critical parts of the ecosystems that maintain global climate stability. The >continued large-scale taking of fossil fuels results in numerous impacts on >these vital areas through deforestation and pollution from drilling >operations and ultimately forest degradation from the global climate >imbalance. The mining and drilling for coal, oil, and gas, as well as other >mineral extractions, results in substantial local environmental >consequences, including severe degradation of air, forests, rivers, oceans >and farmlands. Cultural impacts, forced removal, land appropriation, >destruction of sacred and historical significant areas, breakdown of >Indigenous social systems, and violence against women and children are too >often the outcomes of fossil fuel development on Indigenous Peoples. Fossil >fuel extraction areas are home to some of Mother Earth's last and most >vulnerable Indigenous populations, resulting in accelerated losses of >biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and ultimately in ethnocide and genocide. >> >>ACTIONS >> >>We request that the potential consequences of climate imbalance for >Indigenous Peoples and our environments, economies, culture, place and role >in the natural order be addressed by: >> >>1. Establishing and funding an Inter-sessional Open-ended Working Group >for Indigenous Peoples within the Conference of the Parties (COPs) of the UN >Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC); >> >>2. Provisions for case studies be established within the framework of FCCC >that would allow for assessing how climate changes effect different regions >of Indigenous Peoples and local communities; assessing climate changes on >flora and fauna, freshwater and oceans, forestry, traditional agricultural >practices, medicinal plants and other biodiversity that impact subsistence >and land-based cultures of Indigenous Peoples; and other case studies that >would provide a clearer understanding of all effects and impacts of climate >change and warming upon Indigenous Peoples and local communities; >> >>3. Indigenous Peoples have the right, responsibility and expertise to >participate as equal partners at every level of decision-making including >needs assessments, case studies, within national and international >policy-making activities concerning climate change impacts, causes and >solutions; >> >>4. Within the FCCC, establish protocols that would actively promote >international energy efficient and sustainable forms of development, >including the widespread use of appropriately scaled solar energy and >renewable energy technologies as well as sustainable agricultural and >forestry practice models; >> >>5. Mandating a moratorium on new exploration and projects for extraction >for fossil fuel reserves in pristine areas. Exploration and development in >the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples of the world must be done >with the full consent of Indigenous Peoples, respecting their right to >decline a project that may adversely impact them; >> >>6. Imposing a legally binding obligation to restore all areas already >affected by oil, gas, and coal exploration and exploitation by the >corporations or public entities that are responsible. This restoration must >be done such that Indigenous Peoples can continue traditional uses of their >lands. >> >> >> >>This is a partial list of additional Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups >signing in support of the Declaration. The following Indigenous Peoples and >Nations attended this Albuquerque Workshop-Summit and fully endorse this >declaration: >> >>Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force - Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, >Seneca and Tuscarora Nations >>Native Coalition for Cultural Restoration of Mount Shasta and Medicine Lake >Highlands Defense >>Columbia River Alliance for Economic and Environmental Education >>International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism >>International Indian Treaty Council >>Intertribal Council on Utility Policy >>Native American Council of New York City >>Seventh Generation Fund >>Roundtable of Institutions of People of Color >> >>Sapa Dawn Center >>Dine' Citizens Against Ruining the Environment (CARE) >> >>Anishinabe Niijii >>North American Indigenous Peoples Biodiversity Project >> >>Gwiichin Steering Committee >>Alaska Council of Indigenous Environmental Network >>Eastern Cherokee Defense League >>Great Lakes Regional Indigenous Environmental Network >> >>White Clay Society of Gros Ventre >>Oklahoma Regional Indigenous Environmental Network >>Shundahai Network >>American Indian Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico >>American Indian Law Alliance >> >>Traditional and Spiritual Leaders: >>Oren Lyons, Onondaga >>Kendall Rice, Potawatomi >>Arvol Looking Horse, Lakota >>Marvin Stevens, Kickapoo >>Tom Stillday Jr., Red Lake Ojibway >>Johnny Jackson, Yakama Cascade Band >>Corbin Harney, Western Shoshone >>Jake Swamp, Mohawk >>Albert Yazzie, Navajo >>Richard Dalton Sr, Tlingit >> >>Individuals: >>Tonya Goubella Frichuer, Onondaga >>Chuck Crowe, Eastern Band of Cherokee >>Kent Lebsock, Lakota >>Fidel Moreno, Yaqui/Huichol >>Carlon Ami, Hopi/Tewa >>Mary Defender-Wilson, Dakota/Hidatsa >>Jan Stevens, Sac & Fox >>Walt Bresette, Red Cliff Ojibwe >>Earl Tulley, Dine' >>Floyd Buckskin, Pitt River >>Andrew Becenti, Dine' >>Barbara Bernacik, Laguna Pueblo >>M.C. Balwin, Dine' >>Joseph Campbell, Dakota >>Elena Bautista Sparrow, Yujpik >>Joseph Chasing Horse, Lakota >>Charlotte Caldwell, Menominee >>Tami Soreson, Ojibwe >>Marylou Stillday, Ojibwe >>Sarah James, Neestaii Gwichin Athapascan >>Tom Goldtooth, Dine'/Dakota >>Michael Sturdevant, Menominee >>Jose Barrero, Taino >>James Main, Sr, Gros Ventre >>Roy Taylor, Pawnee/Choctow >>Barbara McCloud, Puyallup >>Valerie Taliman, Dine' >>Janet McCloud, Tulalip >>Wilbur Slockish Jr, Yakama Klickitat Band >>Dana Mitchell, Penobscot >>James Ransom, Haudenesaunee >>Robert Shimek, Ojibwe >>Jimbo Simmons, Choctow >>Patrick Spears, Lakota >>Carlos Pelayo, Yoreme >>Dean Suagee, Oklahoma Band of Cherokee >>Angel Valencia, Yaqui >>Mose Walkingstick, Eastern Band of Cherokee >>Geraldine Warledo, Cheyenne/Arapaho >>Jackie Warledo, Seminole >>Debbie Tewa, Hopi >> >>This is a partial list. >> >> >>For more information contact: >> >Indigenous Environmental Network - National Office >P.O. Box 485 >Bemidji, Minnesota 56619-0485 USA >Phone: (218) 751-4967 >Fax: (218) 751-0561 >e-mail: ien@igc.apc.org >Web Site: http://www.alphacdc.com/ien > >"An alliance of Indigenous Peoples protecting the sacredness of Mother Earth >and building sustainable communities." >