Indigenous Peoples Protest WTO Policies in Seattle
12/1/99
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Indigenous Peoples Protest WTO Policies
Source: Indigenous Environmental Network
http://www.alphacdc.com/ien
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: December 1, 1999
Byline: Tom Goldtooth
Valerie Taliman 206/296-2288, 2289
SEATTLE - Indigenous Peoples from the Arctic to the Amazon to Asian
have gathered here to join protests against the WTO and to call
attention to the impacts of WTO policies on Native communities that
are at the forefront of environmental and cultural destruction.
Organizers say that economic globalization policies endanger their
cultures, communities and traditional subsistence lifestyles by
clear-cutting forests, destroying fisheries, displacing populations
and undermining Indigenous Peoples power over their land and natural
resources.
"The liberalization of trade policies and mining laws allows the free
entry of corporations to take over Indigenous lands, evict Indigenous
peoples and claim the rights over their resources," said Victoria
Tauli-Corpuz of the Indigenous Peoples Network for Policy Research &
Education, based in the Philippines.
Representatives from Colombia and other South American countries say
that the current WTO policies have encouraged murder, genocide and
the dislocation of Indigenous populations.
In the U.S. and Canada, Indian tribes fear WTO trade policies will
trample long-standing treaty rights and erode tribal sovereignty to
protect Native land and peoples. The Clinton Administration's
position on advanced tariff liberalization will increase forest
destruction worldwide and destroy homelands and cultures of many
Native Nations.
"This isn't just about trade and economic development. It goes
beyond that," said Tom Goldtooth, coordinator of the Minnesota-based
Indigenous Environmental Network. "We have grave concerns regarding
free trade and its impacts on the environment, food safety and our
treaty rights. The rights of all people to have a say in their
destiny must be respected. We're concerned about the domination
provided to corporations by the WTO that commodifies our water,
forests, our genes, and theft of our intellectual property rights."
"We're issuing a call to action to all our tribal leaders to learn
about these issues and to assert our inherent rights to protect those
things that are sacred to our people," Goldtooth added.
On Wednesday evening, the Indigenous Environmental Network and the
Seventh Generation Fund are co-hosting an Indigenous Peoples Forum at
Seattle University focusing on Indigenous Peoples' rights to self-
determination, cultural integrity and sovereignty.
Speakers include Chief Ed Moody, Nuxalt Nation, British Columbia;
Priscilla Settee, Nuclear Free Independent Pacific,Canada; Chris
Peters, Seventh Generation Fund; Sharon Venne, attorney, Cree First
Nations; Debra Harry, Indigenous Peoples Council on Bio-Colonialism;
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Indigenous Peoples Network for Policy Research
and Education; Esther Nahgahnub, Anishinabeg Treaty Office; Taira
Stanley, Movimiento de la Juventud Kuna, Panama; Cipriano Jurapo,
Border Justice Campaign, Cuidad Juarez, Mexico and Chief Stewart
Phillip, President, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs.
On Thursday at Seattle University's Schaffer Auditorium, 900 Broadway
Avenue, from 10:00 am to 2:00pm, traditional Indigenous elders from
North America also will speak about the importance of protecting
Native cultures, lands and values.
The panel "North American Indigenous Elders" will include Janet
McCloud of the Tulalip Tribe in Washington; Chet Kiyou, Salish,
Canada; Tom Sampson, Vancouver Island, Canada; Lee Piper, Eastern
Band of Cherokee; Vernon Lane, Lummi Nation; Chief Johnny Jackson,
Yakama Klickitat Band, and Jim Main, Sr., Gros VentreWhite Clay
Society.
On Friday, a panel moderated by Chris Peters of the Seventh
Generation Fund will examine "Indigenous Peoples, Forests and the
WTO." Presenters include Chief Arthur Manuel, Interior Alliance of
First Nations, B.C.; Jeff Thomas, Puyallup Tribe, Washington; Dune
Lankard, Eyak Preservation Council, Alaska; and Chaz Wheelock, Great
Lakes Indigenous Environmental Network, Wisconsin.
Position statements from an array of Indigenous groups are available
and several North and South American Indigenous delegates are
available for interviews. The Indigenous Peoples Networking Office
has been established at Seattle University, 900 Broadway, Lemieux
Library, Room 108, 206/296-2288, 2289.