Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

April 9, 2013

Cheyenne River Indigenous Water Summit May 22 -- 24, 2013

CHEYENNE RIVER HOHWOJU LAKOTA OF THE GREAT OCETI SAKOWIN
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Seven Sacred Council Fires
Invites All Indigenous of the Eagle+Condor Nations

INDIGENOUS WATER SUMMIT
May 22-24, 2013

Seeking a Summer of Solidarity with Indigenous Nations throughout the Western Hemisphere in combating the world water crisis, impacts of climate change and environmental racism, the Cheyenne River Hohwoju Lakota Nation will host a three-day Indigenous Water Summit this spring on Lakota homelands in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.

The first annual Indigenous Water Summit will offer a global platform for the leading minds from the Indigenous water community to gain solidarity, achieve water justice and promote water sustainability through the protection, restoration and management of freshwater stores.

The 2013 Summit will bring together Indigenous leaders, environmentalists, scientists, policy makers, grassroots activists and tomorrow’s leaders to discuss the need to take immediate action in tackling the urgent challenges of water scarcity, access and security; to accelerate the development of sustainable water solutions; and to achieve a unified plan for preserving pure water for future generations and maintaining Indigenous control over water on Indigenous homelands.

Participants from throughout the Indigenous community will present information, offer solutions and develop policy to reverse climate change and mitigate water scarcity brought on by the misuse and poor management of freshwater stores. They will examine the growing water crisis from three perspectives: water safety, water security and water sovereignty.

Day 1 Water Safety - bring awareness of the imminent dangers that threaten our access to pure water through the depletion, pollution and usurping of our freshwater supplies and discuss methods to strengthen and align defenses against these destructive forces.
Day 2 Water security - identify solutions through traditional knowledge and modern technologies to restore our natural climate, fresh water sources and sustainable ecosystems through rainwater retention, watershed restoration and the repair of the water cycle.
Day 3 Water sovereignty - develop a water management plan for large-scale rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems on Indigenous held lands and attain a united position among attending nations on sovereign governance and defense of Indigenous water rights.

Invitations are extended to Indigenous Nations from the Yukon to the Amazon to come to the Hohwoju Lakota Homelands in Eagle Butte, South Dakota on May 22, 23 and 24, 2013. We urge you to take this unique opportunity to enter a dialog of mutual respect with global politicians, water experts, traditional leadership and Indigenous youth to gain solidarity in thought and action in defending our tribal waters and insuring a sustainable water future for all Indigenous peoples upon ancestral homelands.

Should you have any questions regarding the Indigenous Water Summit please contact:
Mni Indigenous Water Summit Planning Team at: www.facebook.com/Mni.Water
Candace Ducheneaux - candacedx@yahoo.com
Linda Tioleu Bishop - lakota_ethnobotanist@hotmail.com
Karen Ducheneaux
Look for our coming Schedule of Events Zintkala Luzahan

No comments: