The twenty-third session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations started its work at the Palais des Nations yesterday. The theme of the session was "Indigenous peoples and the international and domestic protection of traditional knowledge". The Cultural Event for the International Day of the World's Indigenous People would be held on 21 July at the Palais des Nations. The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, would participate in the event.

MINUTES*
* Minutes will consist of the main textual body, which contains original statements of WGIP attendees, and the Appendix, containing the original statements submitted by Representatives

OPENING
The right to one’s own cultural knowledge is protected by human rights standards but there are still gaps that need to be filled. The CHR invited the WG in March to focus on standard setting for the second decade. CHR invited to submit to our office for the Second Decade for the human rights component of the decade. The WG as a think tank can provide inspiration and guidance. The office is committed to working with you in this regard to receive proposals. We have been requested to cooperate. I would like to conclude my comments. Our office considers the promotion and protection of human rights to be a priority. We look to see how we can enhance and strengthen. I look forward to see you on Thursday morning. .

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Françoise Hampson, WGIP Expert
I should like to nominate MAM to be the chair. I know he is reluctant. He is not a permanent chair. I would nominate him for this year.

M. Gáspár Biró, Hungary:
I would like to fully support this proposal.

Miguel Alfonso Martinez, Cuba:
I have spent twenty years in this forum and I have really had more faithful reflection of my attitude toward the chairmanship. Three years ago, I said three years was the maximum I would spend in this post. I spent the last three years as chair. There are further reasons why I am chairing. I really do trust we will find someone else to do this job in the WG. When I wanted to chair, it became part of my being. Over the year I will try to ensure we achieve maximum success in the WG. I think we should give the floor to representative of a member of an indigenous person as is the case in earlier years. There is a request from the IPs caucus with a member from Oglala Sioux. We can start our work officially with thanksgiving.

Opening Thanksgiving prayer

Miguel Alfonso Martinez:
Guissé will be with us tomorrow. He has not been able to be here for the opening session. Yokota will not be present and no representative without the Asia Caucus. We will have to work at 80 percent. We will not have the benefit of the wisdom and personal experience of those who are absent now. We will continue and do our best without them.

The first item is the adoption of the agenda. You will find the agenda. The group has decided in a preliminary meeting. We will have a private meeting to consider items relating to allocation of time for the different times so we can deal with our calendar of meetings. This plenary opening session is adjourned. We will have our first formal meeting taking place at 3 p.m.

Adoption of Agenda

Miguel Alfonso Martinez:
I would like to welcome all people. Agenda Item 4a closes at 4 p.m. today. At 6 p.m. close for other subitems the main principal theme and review the other ones. Agenda item 4 you might recognize general debate as well as review of previous year. We will deal with international and domestic protection of traditional knowledge. We will give you an opportunity to take the floor and as regards to 4b and 4c. The only solution for the chair is to impose some discipline and we must address the sub-agenda item for what one registered. If you wish to address that or any other item you must keep to the them of that sub item. There is great importance of our debate under item 6. The GA adopted a decision for a second decade. The Sec. General is working upon that. There needs to be activities for the second decade and WG is asked to come up with agenda. Another appeal to our colleagues is by mid day on Wednesday please present suggestions in writing if you have any so. Item 7 under the them with other bodies in this connection we have the honor have PFII and also have the SR on the situation of indigenous peoples. I hope we will all be able to interact with Stavenhagen and Corpuz to see how we can improve on the cooperation between the WG, SR and PFII. On Thursday, we will celebrate the International Indigenous Day. HCHR is invited to be with us again. I would like to explain to you why in this draft timetable. The fact is that 5a is a topic that was studied in detail by Motoc our colleague. This year we have a new representative. Motok was the rapporteur with indigenous organization can only be here on Thursday. We will leave 5a to 21st Thursday and start on Tuesday afternoon with 5b.

Rosario Blanco, Embajada de los Pueblos Indigenas Venezuela
See Appendix 1

Barbara Chambers, Mapuche International Link
See Appendix 2

Canada
We are grateful to Stavenhagen for the comprehensiveness and balance of his report in 2004. The report reinforces the commitment for Canada to meet the challenges we face. We would like to draw with your attention two major developments for stronger relationship with Canada and Inuit, Metis and First Nations. Former Supreme Court Justice is the government representative for a legacy to residential schools. True reconciliation must be achieved. May 31 2005 met for policy retreat and new spirit of cooperation to address long term challenges. As was pointed out by the PM, this meeting is an important stage in the positive relationship between Canada and IPs. There are roundtables and it brings us closer to our objectives to work toward equality. We wish to report that over the past year, efforts have continued to reap the benefits of the information society and to prepare for phase II of the WSIS held in Tunisia. The Indigenous Thematic conference was held in 2005. It was to date the only specific indigenous conference.

Martinez:
This attests to the good intention of Canada to try to find new relations in the present and future. Such measures are of utmost importance in terms of taking positive steps toward contributing to building trust between IPs and non-IPs that have relationships that are crucial. I have been impressed by the government of Canada and the coordination of the government of Canada. This initiative taken not to make comments in plenary and will stick to. I would like to give floor to other speaker.

CANADA
See Appendix 3

Tomas Alacron, CAPAJ, Peru:
See Appendix 4

Postzab Vang, Lao Human Rights Council, USA
See Appendix 5

Randol Delano Muller, Mena Muria Foundation, The Netherlands
See Appendix 6

Speech 7 Unavailable

Estabancio Castro, International Indian Treaty Council, Panama
See Appendix 8

Bobby Castillo, Leonard Peltier Defense Committee, USA
See Appendix 9

Speech 10 Unavailable

Speech 11 Unavailable

Speech 12 Unavailable

Speech 13 Unavailable

Jennifer Corpuz, Tebtebba Foundation, Philippines
See Appendix 14

Speech 15-18 Unavailable

Mattias Ahren, Saami Council, Sweden
See Appendix 19

Rosalba Nattero, Giancarlo Barbadoro Ecospirituality Foundation, UK
See Appendix 20

Speech 21 Unavailable

Vyacheslav Lombroso, Crimean Cultural Society, Ukraine
See Appendix 22

Speech 23 Unavailable

R. Jay Lakra, World Adivasi Council, India
See Appendix 24

Ikaika Hussey, Kanak Maoli Tribunal Kimike, Hawaii
See Appendix 25

Gabriel Sengo, Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Foundation, Netherlands
See Appendix 26

Speeches 27-29 Unavailable

Les Malezer, Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action, Australia
See Appendix 30

Armand McKenzie, Innu Nation, Canada
See Appendix 31

Ronald Barnes, Indigenous Peoples and Nations Coalition, Alaska
See Appendix 32

CONCLUSION OF MEETING