As a group in Norway planned an Indigenous World Conference for 2014, the Indigenous Environmental Network made an intervention. Will the gathering in 2014 uphold the Rights of Nature? The outcome remains to be seen. -- Censored News
Intervention by Indigenous Environmental Network, Tom Goldtooth
"This green economy regime places a monetary price on Nature and
creates new derivative markets that will only increase inequality and
expedite the destruction of Nature – of Mother Earth." -- Tom Goldtooth, IEN
Jun 13, 2013
INDIVIDUAL INTERVENTION SESSION
11 June 2013
by Indigenous Environmental Network
Intervention by Tom Goldtooth, on behalf of the Indigenous Environmental Network, delegate from the North America Caucus.
Mr. Chair, Bureau, Indigenous Peoples Delegates and Indigenous Peoples of the World;
This intervention is not on behalf of the North American Caucus, but on behalf of the Indigenous Environmental Network.
It is very important that the outcome document articulate the
expression of Indigenous worldview that we all share, as Peoples of the
Land, Waters, Oceans and noting our relatives of the Polar region – I
will add the “Peoples’ of the Ice and Snow”. The full recognition of
our spirituality and cosmovision, as part of our culture, has
consistently been under attack by States and their colonial bodies and
within the implementation of their economic globalization and so-called
sustainable development agenda.
As Indigenous Peoples we are observing the UN, the World Bank, and
other financial and private sectors, including energy and extractive
industries that are pushing a “green” economy agenda. As Indigenous
Peoples, we must articulate our voices in the Outcome Document on this
UN and member States’ economic development agenda that is expanding the
commodification, financialization and privatization of the functions of
Nature. These functions of Nature are the life-giving cycles of Mother
Earth.
This green economy regime places a monetary price on Nature and
creates new derivative markets that will only increase inequality and
expedite the destruction of Nature – of Mother Earth. We cannot put the
future of Nature and humanity in the hands of financial speculative
mechanisms like carbon trading, REDD, conservation and biodiversity
offsets and payment for environmental and ecological services.
As Indigenous Peoples, we are the Guardians of Mother Earth and
Father Sky. We are the Peoples of Mother Earth. The rights of
Indigenous Peoples and the rights of Mother Earth are not separate. We
only have one Mother Earth – let’s take care of her and lift up her
right for her natural laws to be recognized.
Thank you.
PHOTO: June
12, 2013 - Day 3, Afternoon Plenary session of the Preparatory
Conference - at the Finnmark Hall in Alta, Norway. Photo: Ben Powless,
Global Coordinating Group Media Team
More info on World Indigenous Conference 2014, including outcome document of Norway planning session:
http://www.wcip2014.org/1310