United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues - The 12th Session

Here we are on Monday on the first day of the 12th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. We wandered around disoriented in this large, slightly deteriorating time capsule complex from the 1950's. Yes, I am speaking about the UN complex. It is impressive to see Indigenous people from all over the world coming to gather and speak and listen. The biggest impression I have from this first day is that it is amazing that there has been such a significant struggle for Indigenous people to have a presence here. Oren Lyons spoke of the early days when a small group protested across the street from the UN campus, facing a phalanx of police. Now people gather to speak in the Ecosoc Council Chambers. These are steps.

I think that this is an important place to assert voices. But I am sad at the energy it takes to assert and to resist Indigenous presence on the stages of the world. I look for ways for a direct communication between communities without having to knock on doors...