Chief Oren Lyons discusses sovereignty

O n Sept. 13, the United Nations overwhelmingly passed a resolution of tremendous importance to the indigenous people of the world, but did you hear about it?
Chief Oren Lyons , faithkeeper and chief of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga people, was in Taos Saturday (Dec. 8) to help inaugurate the Yaxche Learning Center's new facility at the former R.C. Gorman residence in Las Colonias. Before the ceremonies got underway, Lyons taped an interview with The Taos News Media Center in which he spoke about the UN's Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples, which was passed with 143 votes in favor.
This was a significant vote even if all 192 members of the general assembly were in attendance. But, what is even more significant, Lyons said in the interview, is that there were 11 abstentions and four nations that voted against it. Those who objected to the nonbinding declaration were New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States, each of which have large numbers of indigenous people.
The reasons the U.S. decided not to support the declaration was because one of the articles states "indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired."
According to a Reuters news story, this was considered controversial because "that could potentially put in question most of the land ownership in countries, such as those that opposed the declaration, whose present population is largely descended from settlers who took over territory from previous inhabitants."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Declaration
• Rights
• Indigenous
• People

[slidebargirl]

Y'a know...for all the trashing of Oren, he's still onof the greatest eoquent speaker/ messengers of our time, whose voices reaches on a global level. With all the unfortunate happenings back home, these stories need to stay home. Airing out dirty laundry does nothing, but look stupid. Espescially when its hanging out on your line. Use your good mouth to tell something of good value to all...aye?

[EnnDK]

A remarkable people, who I have long admired. Thank you for the information you provide, Chief Lyons.

[cygnetomega]

@gavinlura - authenticity maybe? Lyons makes me think France. Couldn't you think of some major even in your life and get an elder to compose it for you? I think it's a NA custom that cannot be ignored, the coming of age name or some such.

[kaneratiio]

@wheelori814 He is a freemason or at very least, guys like Leo Henry that he has worked very hard to keep empowered in Tuscarora are.

[lmollot]

DAWES ACT OF 1887 split up the mothers clan communal farms- & gave acres to individual indian men -this weakened the strong matriarchy clan-based native nations-also this "made the native woman subjected to one man as much as the white woman pioneer woman"-gov can then order the isolated man to do whatever-go to war-take back the farm-push alcohol,cig,drugs- & more births to be exploited by orphanages who kidnap native children from mothers who lack a big grandmothers clan group-return longhouse

[benotwofeathers]

thank you so much Mr lyons you are indeed part of what this world needs, I will do as much as can too to help where i can. you are truly inspirational. Megweetch

[DoctorSess]

@safzuan ignorance and fear

[MAY777ABLE]

@wheelori814

AGREED

[wheelori814]

Oren needs to learn about the illuminati and freemasons and learn that they are the real ones behind the worlds problems, how they brainwashed EVERYONE. Not saying natives dont have real issues to fight for, but its something to just keep them busy just like television is for everyone so they dont wake up and see whos really behind all this crap!!!

[gavinlura]

@cygnetomega of what importance is a name?

[safzuan]

please excuse, this is not a sarcasm question. i really dont understand so much on why sometime people so hate Jews?

[Monolith1618]

Man is born free. He alone may choose to be responsible or selfish.