The Alifuru Elders (Muluku Islands) and the West-Papua Elders invite all indigenous peoples and other interested parties worldwide to show their full support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) by holding a drumming or other traditional music ceremony in their communities on September 13, 2010.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was passed on September 13, 2007, yet many indigenous communities still major issues, such as those that are addressed in the UNDRIP. This worldwide ceremony is an appeal to all nations to adopt and fully implement the UNDRIP.

The 63rd UN Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization Conference will be held in Melbourne from 30 August to 1September 2010.

The Conference will bring together hundreds of NGO representatives from around the world to discuss global health as it relates to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Health issues are central to the MDGs, which are the internationally agreed targets for reducing poverty. Goals include reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other preventable diseases.

Improving the health of men, women and children in developing countries ensures that the poor can expand their range of choices, improve their productivity and participate more fully in society.

Tribal Link Foundation is an executive member of the conference planning committee, chairing the sub-committee on Diversity and Indigenous Participation. Alongside our Australian co-chairs, we have worked to ensure that indigenous health issues receive equal exposure at the conference.

For registration, click here.

When: August 9, 2010 2-5pm

Where: UN Headquarters, New York, Conference Room 1 (North Lawn Building)

The theme of the observance at UN Headquarters will be celebrating indigenous film making. The event is organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in cooperation with the NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, of which Tribal Link is an executive member.

Those who wish to attend the observance should register by Thursday 6 August, by sending an email with full name at: indigenous_un@un.org. Please note that those who have not registered will not get a day pass, and will thus not be able to attend.

Holders of valid UN grounds passes do not need to register.

The event will begin at 2 pm. Participants must enter the UN grounds through the Visitor’s Entrance on 1st. Avenue facing 45th Street. After going through the entrance, participants should go directly to the table where SPFII staff will hand out day passes to those who have registered. Day passes will be available at the table from 1 pm until 2:15 pm. It is essential that participants bring photo ID when picking up their day passes.

Program:

Monday, 9 August, 2.00-5.00p.m.
ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters

Welcome by Master of Ceremonies Roberto Múcaro Borrero (Taíno, Puerto Rico)

Traditional welcome by Mr. Kevin Tarrent (Ho Chunk)

Message from Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon

Message by Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang

Message from the Chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on        Indigenous Issues, Mr. Carlos Mamani

Screening of four short films by indigenous filmmakers followed by Q&A with directors Per-Josef Idvuoma, Alex Zacarias and Andrew Okpeaha MacLean moderated by Reaghan Tarbell from the National Museum of the American Indian

Marangmotxingo Mïrang/From the Ikpeng Children to the World Directed  by Kumaré Txicão (Ikpeng), Karané Txicão (Ikpeng), and Natuyu Yuwipo Txicão (Ikpeng)

Curte-Nillas:(short) movie Directed  by Mr. Per-Josef Idivuoma (Sámi

Taino Indians counted out of existence Directed by Mr. Alex Zacarias (Taíno)

Sikumi (On the ice) Directed  by Mr. Andrew Okpeaha MacLean (Inupiaq)

MESSAGE from the SECRETARY GENERAL on the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF the WORLDS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

New York, 9 August 2010

The world’s indigenous peoples have preserved a vast amount of humanity’s cultural history. Indigenous peoples speak a majority of the world’s languages, and have inherited and passed on a wealth of knowledge, artistic forms and religious and cultural traditions. On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we reaffirm our commitment to their wellbeing.

The landmark United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007, lays out a framework for governments to use in strengthening relationships with indigenous peoples and protecting their human rights. Since then, we have seen more governments working to redress social and economic injustices, through legislation and other means, and indigenous peoples’ issues have become more prominent on the international agenda than ever before.

But we must do even more. Indigenous peoples still experience racism, poor health and disproportionate poverty. In many societies, their languages, religions and cultural traditions are stigmatised and shunned. The first-ever UN report on the State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in January 2010 set out some alarming statistics. In some countries, indigenous peoples are 600 times more likely to contract tuberculosis than the general population. In others, an indigenous child can expect to die twenty years before his or her non-indigenous compatriots.

The theme of this year’s Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is indigenous filmmakers, who give us windows into their communities, cultures and history. Their work connects us to belief systems and philosophies; it captures both the daily life and the spirit of indigenous communities.   As we celebrate these contributions, I call on Governments and civil society to fulfil their commitment to advancing the status of indigenous peoples everywhere.

When: Saturday June 19-Monday June 21, 2010

Where: Burgundy Brook Farm, Palmer, MA

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Songs for the Solstice – Music for the Horse Nation

A Day Of Music In The Field – Bring Your Blankets To Sit On

Benefit Concert

Family Friendly Event

Gates Open at 10:00AM – Free Parking

Craft Vendor, Service Vendor & Food Vendor Market Opens 12 Noon

Burgundy Brook Farm, 3090 Palmer Rd, Palmer 01069

Show Starts at 1PM

We will also have a Silent Auction for several great items

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

Native Historical Reenactment

Blue Star Equiculture invites you to the Zadock Paddock to learn about some of our equine residents.  Meet the horses as you learn about their individual histories and their breed histories.  We’ll travel across the country, around the world and through history to tell these amazing horses’ stories.  After the formal presentation, there will be an opportunity to meet the horses up close at the fence!

Gates Open at 10:00AM – Free Parking

Burgundy Brook Farm, 3090 Palmer Rd, Palmer 01069

Events Starts at 1PM

Silent Auction Closes at 5PM

Please remember to bring:

• Tobacco
• Braded Sweet Grass
• Dried Cedar
• Sage

As prayer offering and offerings to the Elders.More on protocol

Monday, June 21st, 2010

World Peace and Prayer Day

From Dawn to Dusk

Gates Open at Dawn – Free Parking

Burgundy Brook Farm, 3090 Palmer Rd, Palmer 01069.

Please remember to bring:

• Tobacco
• Braded Sweet Grass
• Dried Cedar
• Sage

As prayer offering and offerings to the Elders.

When: Summer Solstice, Monday, June 21st  5-7:30pm

Where: St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Woodstock, NY; Gathering will take place in the Memorial Gardens  (weather permitting)

Participants include: Bardor Tulku Rinpoche, Shubhraji, Rabbi Jonathan Kligler, Rev. Gigi Conner, Rev. Joshua Bode,Pandit Krishna Varanasi, Imam Salahuddin Muhammad, Fr. Tom Deely, Rev Ilfra Halley, Rev. Betsy Stang plus many more including Music from Sacred Tradition

Prayers for the waters will be offered

Co-sponsored by: Mid Hudson Valley United Religions Initiative
The Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church
Humanity’s Team

What: Taino Summer Solstice Gathering – NY

Where: Brook Park in the Bronx, New York

When: Sunday, June 20, 2010

In recognition of World Peace and Prayer Day and the summer solstice, the United Confederation of Taino People – OIRRC and Taino Iukaieke Guainia will host an areito (ceremonial) gathering and purification ceremony. A special focus of this event will be to offer prayers  for the Boriken 2010 Peace and Dignity Spiritual Run that will take place in Boriken this 17-22 July 2010.

Several community members will gather at 10am to prepare the ceremonial fire. An opening circle will begin at 12noon sharp and the event is free. The organizers have requested that attendees please bring food to share and consider monetary donations to the Friends of Brook Park and to the Boriken 2010 Run. The park is located at 141st Street and Brook Ave in the South Bronx. For more information on the gathering contact oirrc@uctp.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 1(212)604-4186

Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Time: 6:30pm-9:00pm

Location: Visitor’s lobby of the United Nations Secretariat building
Event Description: In honor of the opening of the ninth session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues there will be an exhibit, cultural performance, and networking gathering. The event will be attended by indigenous peoples attending the Forum, relevant UN staff, agencies, government representatives and NGO’s. This event is not open to the public.

Date: April 19-30, 2010
Location: UN Headquarters, NY

Event Description: The PFII was created by the UN Economic and Social Council. The PFII meets annually at UN Headquarters in New York to discuss indigenous issues within the Council’s mandate including economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights; raise public awareness about indigenous issues, and help integrate and coordinate activities in the UN System.

The special theme for 2010 is Indigenous peoples: development with culture and identity; articles 3 and 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

For registration and other information about the PFII, please visit www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/session_ninth.html

Date: April 19-22, 2010
Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia

Event Description: The Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia calls on the peoples of the world, social movements and Mother   Earth’s defenders, and invites scientists, academics, lawyers and governments that want to work with their citizens to the Peoples’ World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth’s Rights to be held from 20th to 22nd April 2010 in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

For more information, please visit: www.cmpcc.org

Date: March 1-12, 2010
Location: UN Headquarters, New York

Event Description: The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. It is the principal global policy-making body. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide. The CSW meets annually for 10 working days.

For more information, please visit: www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw

Date: February 27 & 28, 2010
Location: The Salvation Army Greater New York Headquarters
120 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011
Between 6th and 7th Avenue

Event Details: The Forum will take place on February 27 & 28, 2010. This Forum immediately precedes the 54th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which will also undertake a 15–year review and appraisal of the BPfA. 2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women. In recognition of this anniversary, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, NY is organizing an NGO Global Women’s Forum to consider implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA). The Forum program will include two full conference days commencing with an opening ceremony, and continuing with plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops.
For more information, please visit www.ngocsw.org/en/events/2010-forum

Friday, February 26 - Saturday, February 27, 2010

The next annual Mount Sinai Global Health Conference will showcase a range of indigenous health issues… register today and join other students, physicians, academics, activists, and community members to learn more about the critical health issues facing indigenous groups both here in the United States and across the globe.

Speakers will include Winona LaDuke, Cynthia Lindquist, Richardo Palma, and Steven Donziger. There will also be a screening of the award-winning documentary film, The Battle for Whiteclay, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

Click here to see the conference agenda, register, and read more about the film and presenters.