In conjunction with the United States review of its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Department of State and other Federal agencies will host two events in October. The first is a consultation with Tribal Leaders on October 14 from 1:00p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The second is a dialogue with interested nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders, scheduled for October 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. These meetings will be held at the U.S. Department of State and are closed press.
Input from federally-recognized tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and other interested groups and individuals is an integral part of the review process. The U.S. Government has received thousands of comments and has conducted previous consultations with Tribal Leaders and meetings with nongovernmental organizations and stakeholders. During President Obama's first year in office, tribal leaders, stakeholders and nongovernmental organizations encouraged the United States to reexamine its position on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On April 20, 2010, United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan E. Rice announced that the United States’ decision to review its position on the Declaration.
The Administration’s review of the UN Declaration reflects its understanding of the importance of this document for many around the world and is consistent with President Obama's call for a new era of U.S. engagement globally.
Details on consultations with Tribal Leaders and dialogues with NGOs and other stakeholders are posted on the State Department’s website located at: http://www.state.gov/s/tribalconsultation/declaration/index.htm
Tribal Leaders and others also are encouraged to contribute to the review by emailing us at Declaration@state.gov, or by submitting comments via mail to the Department of State at: S/SR Global Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street N.W., Suite 1317, Washington, D.C. 20520. Written comments should be received by October 31, 2010, so they can be given due consideration during the review.
