The United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People Hears Testimony as Indigenous Refuse to Silence Their Mother Tongues
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By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 20, 2026
GENEVA -- The Mother Tongue carries the identity, heritage and survival of the people. "When Indigenous languages die, Indigenous Peoples die," Maori told the U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Canada tried to silence the Mother Tongues in residential schools. In Botswana, displacement and genocide could mean the silencing of a language. In Morocco, discrimination is the reality for the language carriers, the mothers of future generations. In Venezuela, sanctions have not prevented the government from revitalizing 42 Indigenous languages, Indigenous delegates told the U.N. Expert Mechanism.
Japan denies there are Indigenous born in Okinawa.
Photo: Keira Spence, Moose Cree First Nation
Photo: Keira Spence, Moose Cree First NationNishnawbe-Aski Nation First Nation Youth Delegation member Keira Spence, of Moose Cree First Nation, told the United Nations how Canada attempted to silence the Mother Tongues, and what this means for future generations.
"When a language is lost, a nation's capacity to govern itself is diminished."
"Our delegation comes from nations whose languages were targeted by Canada's policies of force assimilation and language suppression."
"Indigenous languages are not only expressions of indigenous cultures, they are institutions of indigenous government. The decades success will be measured
by whether indigenous languages are once again lived, spoken, and transmitted within our nations."
"Indigenous languages carry laws, treaty relationships, ceremonies, identity,
and knowledge across generations."
"Today, we carry the responsibility of their resurgence, reminding us that revitalization
of indigenous languages are not only about preserving words but fulfilling our responsibilities to future generations."
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| A Nishnawbe-Aski Nation First Nation Youth Delegation attended the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Gevena, Switzerland. Taking part were, from left, Ryan Fleming, of Attawapiskat First Nation, Keira Spence, of Moose Cree First Nation, and Kohen Mattinas, of Lac Seul First Nation/Constance Lake First Nation. |
The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation First Nation Youth Delegation offered four recommendations. To begin with, countries should develop an update on Indigenous language action plans in partnership with Indigenous Peoples before the decades midterm review in 2027. Second, sustained financing should be established with measurable implementation, target, and public reporting.
Third, ensure AI initiatives affecting Indigenous languages, including language technologies, data infrastructure, and related developments are governed through FPI (Free, prior and informed consent), Indigenous data sovereignty and effective regulation.
Fourth, the Expert Mechanism should continue advancing discussions on an international convention on Indigenous language rights to strengthen legal protection,
accountability, and sustained international cooperation beyond the decade.
"Our responsibility is to ensure the next generation inherits living indigenous languages, not only recorded ones."
The Ontario Native Women's Association told the United Nations, "Language is rooted in who we are."
"Our languages are our laws, our teachings, our relationship with the land, and our identity."
"Our languages are fundamental to our self determination, our sovereignty, and our livelihood. For indigenous women and girls, language is rooted in who we are. It carries the teachings of our elders, our responsibilities to future generations
and our role in our communities."
"Colonial policies have deliberately sought to erase our languages, particularly by forced removal of our children from homes and communities."
"While we recognize that Canada launched a national action plan for the International Decade of Indigenous languages. in June 2024, we are deeply concerned about the lack of action and funding, including the vast disproportionate funding allocated to the official colonial languages, English and French compared to the indigenous languages."
The delegation recommended that the report be included to the Human Rights Council, and pointed out that governments need to adequately finance measures to implement the global action plan and domestic action plans on indigenous languages.
This includes adequately funding indigenous women's organizations to
maintain and provide access to traditional languages, cultures, indigenous knowledge, and land based knowledge and healing."
maintain and provide access to traditional languages, cultures, indigenous knowledge, and land based knowledge and healing."
Second, the delegations recommended that the Expert Mechanism ensure indigenous women's full, effective and meaningful participation as well as leadership at all levels of decision making.
Third, implement the expert mechanisms previous proposals to advance the global action plan on indigenous languages and to include an indigenous gender based lens that adequately includes indigenous women.
Amazigh woman in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Photo Marlowe Starling, PBS
MOROCCO AMAZIGH WOMEN
The struggle to maintain the Amazigh language in Morocco is intrinsic in the battle against discrimination and the struggle for survival.
"For indigenous women, the gap between international commitments and daily realities remains a major concern. Amazigh women in Morocco have historically played a fundamental role in preserving our language, identity, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge," a representative told the United Nations.
"However, many continue to face multiple forms of discrimination that affect their ability to fully enjoy their rights. In our communities, women still encounter barriers in accessing essential public services, including healthcare, education, justice, and administrative services."
"Language barriers, geographical isolation and insufficient consideration
of indigenous realities can prevent them from exercising rights that should be guaranteed to all."
The Declaration recognizes through Articles two, 18, 21, 22 and 23, the principles of non discrimination, participation, equality, and the rights of indigenous peoples
to be involved in decisions affecting them.
"We therefore encourage states, United Nations Human Rights mechanisms, and relevant institutions to strengthen the implementation of the Declaration by ensuring
the meaningful participation of indigenous women and youth, guaranteeing culturally appropriate public services, and supporting indigenous organizations working at the community level."
"The Declaration is a powerful instrument, but its true impact will be measured by the changes it creates in the daily lives of indigenous peoples."
"For indigenous women, recognizing their rights means ensuring that they can live with dignity, equality, and full participation."
"For indigenous women, the gap between international commitments and daily realities remains a major concern. Amazigh women in Morocco have historically played a fundamental role in preserving our language, identity, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge," a representative told the United Nations.
"However, many continue to face multiple forms of discrimination that affect their ability to fully enjoy their rights. In our communities, women still encounter barriers in accessing essential public services, including healthcare, education, justice, and administrative services."
"Language barriers, geographical isolation and insufficient consideration
of indigenous realities can prevent them from exercising rights that should be guaranteed to all."
The Declaration recognizes through Articles two, 18, 21, 22 and 23, the principles of non discrimination, participation, equality, and the rights of indigenous peoples
to be involved in decisions affecting them.
"We therefore encourage states, United Nations Human Rights mechanisms, and relevant institutions to strengthen the implementation of the Declaration by ensuring
the meaningful participation of indigenous women and youth, guaranteeing culturally appropriate public services, and supporting indigenous organizations working at the community level."
"The Declaration is a powerful instrument, but its true impact will be measured by the changes it creates in the daily lives of indigenous peoples."
"For indigenous women, recognizing their rights means ensuring that they can live with dignity, equality, and full participation."
"As we approach the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, we must reaffirm that the value of this declaration lies not only in its recognition, but in its effective implementation."
In Botswana, an Indigenous language, N/u, is at risk of being lost due to displacement and genocide. With only a couple of speakers left, the community faces a loss of identity, a representative for Botswana's Indigenous told the United Nations. The displacement and genocide, and the detrimental impact on Indigenous languages, in Botswana mirrors similar testimony from across Africa and Asia, where Indigenous Peoples struggle to survive genocidal wars and erasure by the governments.
Japan was among those denying the identity of Indigenous Peoples. Japan's government representative told the U.N. Expert Mechanism that Japan does not recognize any people in Okinawa as Indigenous. Meanwhile, Indigenous in Okinawa described their unique languages, and the struggle against the negative impacts of U.S. military bases on Okinawa.
Japan’s government explicitly denied that the people of Okinawa (Ryukyu) are a distinct indigenous group. Japan also objected to statements about PFAs (synthetic forever chemicals) and other environmental and human health dangers from the water, linked to U.S. military bases in Okinawa. Japan maintains that national security matters are outside the scope of Indigenous forums. The government of Japan took the extreme step of asking the U.N. Expert Mechanism to remove the statement about PFAs from the Expert Mechanism's draft statement.
Japan’s government explicitly denied that the people of Okinawa (Ryukyu) are a distinct indigenous group. Japan also objected to statements about PFAs (synthetic forever chemicals) and other environmental and human health dangers from the water, linked to U.S. military bases in Okinawa. Japan maintains that national security matters are outside the scope of Indigenous forums. The government of Japan took the extreme step of asking the U.N. Expert Mechanism to remove the statement about PFAs from the Expert Mechanism's draft statement.
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| The Venezuelan government described efforts to keep alive the 42 Indigenous languages. |
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Venezuela's government spoke of the vast languages in the country, and the efforts to keep Indigenous languages alive in a time of sanctions.
"For our country, the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples is a commitment
to the memory and cosmos vision of our people. Forty-two indigenous languages are spoken in our country's live expression of the culture and the multi-ethnic pluricultural nature of our country."
"The promotion of these languages is an express mandate contained in our constitutions. In 2021, Venezuela started a comprehensive review of the law on
indigenous languages in order to revitalize, protect these languages and transmit them to future delegations."
"Also, the country is promoting community spaces where the elderly transmit their language to children through oral narration, dialogue, and songs."
"In this way, not only the languages are preserved, but also traditional knowledge,
values, and traditions of each peoples."
"Nevertheless, we have to say the UCMs (unilateral collective measures, known as sanctions) create obstacles for states to implement and protect the economic, social and cultural rights of indigenous peoples and the necessary resources to implement public policies.
to the memory and cosmos vision of our people. Forty-two indigenous languages are spoken in our country's live expression of the culture and the multi-ethnic pluricultural nature of our country."
"The promotion of these languages is an express mandate contained in our constitutions. In 2021, Venezuela started a comprehensive review of the law on
indigenous languages in order to revitalize, protect these languages and transmit them to future delegations."
"Also, the country is promoting community spaces where the elderly transmit their language to children through oral narration, dialogue, and songs."
"In this way, not only the languages are preserved, but also traditional knowledge,
values, and traditions of each peoples."
"Nevertheless, we have to say the UCMs (unilateral collective measures, known as sanctions) create obstacles for states to implement and protect the economic, social and cultural rights of indigenous peoples and the necessary resources to implement public policies.
"These measures also compromise the promotion of indigenous languages and traditional knowledge.
"Venezuela will continue to work together with indigenous peoples to revitalize
and preserve their languages, convinced that to preserve a language is to preserve the memory and identity of peoples."
Copyright Brenda Norrell, Censored News 2026
