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Highlights
·
UN Focus on Indigenous Peoples August 9 - 10
·
Terrorist Attack - Tragedy in the US
·
UCTP Reps. go to Greenland
Also
Inside
1
Editorials; Taino Survival: Jamaica ; Miami Circle ;
2
Taino Woman in Caguas ; Sacred Sites Petition Update ;
3
Community Bulletin Board ; Voice of the People ;
4
Taino Language; Pilot Whales; CALENDER of EVENTS
La Voz del
Pueblo
Taino
La Voz del Pueblo Tainoâ (The Voice of the Taino People) is the Official Newsletter of the
United Confederation of Taino People - United States Regional Coordinating Office
Volume 4, Issue 3, JULY - SEPTEMBER 2001 ã All Rights Reserved
Seventh Annual United Nations International Day of the
World's Indigenous Peoples Observed in New York
Gathering Focuses on Recently Established Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
NEW YORK, NY, – As part of the
Seventh Commemoration of the
International Day of the World's
Indigenous Peoples hundreds of
Indigenous Peoples and their allies
gathered at United Nations
Headquarters for two days of cultural
events, panel discussions,
consultations and working groups.
The annual event, which was held
August 9 - 10, was sponsored by the
Office of the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, the
UN Department of Public
Information (DPI), and the NGO
Committee on the International
Decade of the World's Indigenous
Peoples as well as unprecedented
number of other UN agencies.
This year’s program focus was the
recently established Permanent Forum
on Indigenous Issues; the first session
is scheduled for May 2002 in New
York.
The historic event began with
welcome messages from UN
Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and
the High Commissioner for Human
Rights, Mary Robinson.
Spiritual leader Chief Arvol Looking
Horse at the United Nations. Photo: R.
Sommer
These messages were followed by
a traditional welcome given by Chief
Jake Swamp of the Mohawk Nation.
Representing the local Indigenous
communities, Chief Swamp gave his
message first in his traditional
language then in English.
Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the
19thgeneration Keeper of the White
Buffalo Calf Pipe, conducted the
World Scared Pipe Ceremony for
Peace. Paula Horn and elder, Dave
Chief, assisted Chief Looking Horse.
As UN and Indigenous Leaders
gathered to partake of the Sacred
Pipe, all shared in the sanctity of the
moment.
Following the Sacred Pipe
Ceremony, a special presentation of
was offered by Jerry Thundercloud
McDonald and the Mohawk Singers
and Dancers.
The closing ceremony was
presented by Luis Delgado of Peru,
who performed a special blessing
ceremony. During his blessing Mr.
Delgado, also acknowledged the hard
work of all the organizers especially
Roberto Mucaro Borrero. Mr.
Borrero, Chairperson of the NGO
Committee on the UN International
Decade of the World’s Indigenous
Peoples was the Master of
Ceremonies for the event.
Following a break for lunch,
participants returned for the
afternoon panel discussion, “The
History and Possible Priorities of the
Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues.” The session was Co-Chaired
by Mr. Julian Berger of the Office of
the High Commissioner for Human
Rights and Roberto Mucaro Borrero.
Story continues on page 2
UN Indigenous Peoples
(continued from page 1)