UN experts demand safe passage for Freedom Flotilla’s humanitarian mission to Gaza

Ready to sail for Gaza with aid, but Israel is putting up new barriers.

"South African politician Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla taking aid to Gaza, announcing that 'I am a living example of what international solidarity can achieve, we defeated the apartheid government.' Mandela said Israel's planned blockade of the aid ship would be a breach of international law, and that the flotilla activists were determined to break Israel's blockade and siege of Gaza." https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240424-south-african-solidarity-mandelas-grandson-joins-gaza-aid-flotilla/

A flotilla of three ships, carrying some 5,000 tonnes of food, drinking water & medical aid, is about to depart from Turkey |

@GazaFFlotilla

UN experts demand safe passage for Freedom Flotilla’s humanitarian mission to Gaza

Featured, News / By David

GENEVA (26 April 2024) – UN experts today demanded safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, whose ships departing Türkiye will be carrying 5,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international humanitarian observers to the besieged Gaza Strip. “As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, Israel must adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid,” the experts said.

Casey Camp-Horinek -- 'Walking the Red Road, the Spiritual Road' at Bioneers

Casey Camp-Horinek -- 'Walking the Red Road, the Spiritual Road' at Bioneers

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, April 25, 2024

Casey Camp-Horinek, Ponca, shares her humor and good words at this year's Bioneers Conference. "We're walking the Red Road, every day of our life. What does it mean. It means we are a part of the elements."

"Remember who you are, and what you are," says Casey.

"The earth with a shake of her shoulder can shake us free."

"We have to honor the natural laws."

Enjoy her visit, watch the video, 20 minutes: 

https://bioneers.org/casey-camp-horinek-walking-red-road-elemental-zstf2404/

Bioneers:

In this talk, one of the most respected, beloved and impactful longtime activists on behalf of Indigenous rights and women’s leadership as well as a major figure in the “Rights of Nature” movement, delves deeply into how many Indigenous peoples view the human relationship to the natural world and what their ancestral wisdom teaches about how to harmoniously interact with nature’s fundamental components, aka the “elements”—Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Casey explores how these incredibly sophisticated traditional Indigenous land, water and fire stewardship strategies, many of which are now being “rediscovered” by contemporary managers, have much to teach us as we grapple with the climate crisis.

https://bioneers.org/2024talks/

Amazonian Chief Ninawa Huni Kui 'Sacred Sites Maintain the Equilibrium of Our People'

 

Hereditary Chief Ninawa Huni Kui speaking at the U.N. Permanent Forum. Screenshot by Censored News.

Amazonian Chief Ninawa Huni Kui, 'Sacred Sites Maintain the Equilibrium of Our People'

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, April 23, 2024

NEW YORK -- Hereditary Chief Ninawa Huni Kui recommended to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that the protection of sacred sites be placed at the center of global discussions, to maintain the equilibrium of Indigenous Peoples.

"When we protect sacred sites, it is not only for cultural events, but we also maintain the integrity of the sacred spiritual relationship with the Spirit of Mother Earth," Chief Ninawa said on Tuesday, at the U.N. Forum now underway in New York.

"I would like to make a proposal to this Permanent Forum," said Hereditary Chief Ninawa Huni, of the Indigenous Peoples from the Brazilian Amazon.

Chief Ninawa said everything is suffering from the impact of the climate.

"I see a need to speak and bring the voice of the ancient wise Indigenous People to this Permanent Forum. We have a suggestion that we may be able to use, and the spiritual leaders of the world can also convey their ancestral wisdom to this Permanent Forum."

"It is an important aspect that affects the balance of this world, with our medicine, with our spiritual connection that we have, I would like to propose that we put at the center of the global discussion the protection of sacred sites, both at the Permanent Forum, and at UNESCO which is here at this Forum, it is very important that they also consider this." 

Chief Ninawa said this is a "contribution of spiritual leaders to maintain the equilibrium in our people."

"We are directly affected by a model that is continuing at a global level, it is not bringing positive results for Indigenous communities."

"A major step that we can take is to draw attention specifically to the protection of sacred sites, that protect the power of Indigenous People. When we protect sacred sites, it is not only for cultural events, but we also maintain the integrity of the sacred spiritual relationship with the Spirit of Mother Earth."

"If we do this, we will be able to live in peace, this is necessary for Indigenous People."

Chief Ninawá Huni Kui

Chief Ninawá Huni Kui is a hereditary leader of the Huni Kui people, a Wall International Indigenous Scholar, and the elected President of the Huni Kui federation of the State of Acre, in the Amazon region. He represents 118 communities and a population of more than 15,000 people. The Huni Kui Indigenous people are part of the Amazon Rainforest and put their lives on the line to protect it. Chief Ninawá has been a strong voice against false solutions to the climate crisis and a global advocate for placing Indigenous rights and lives at the center of the climate and nature emergency agenda.

Censored News

Canada Failing Youths and Survivors of Residential Schools, Indigenous Youths Tell United Nations

Photo: Screenshot by Censored News
Canada Failing Youths and Survivors of Residential Schools, Youths Tell United Nations By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, April 22, 2024

NEW YORK -- "Canada continues to fail to take up solutions from survivors and Indigenous youths to address the legacy of the residential school system," a coalition of community-based Indigenous youth groups told the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Indigenous community-based youth groups in so-called Canada voiced an urgent need to have their collective rights respected for cultural and language revitalization, and climate justice, in the face of ongoing environmental racism, land and cultural dispossession and "Canada's willful disregard of traditional government systems."

The youths urged implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation's Commission's Call to Action 66 for multiyear funding for community-based youth groups organizations, to deliver programs on reconciliation and establish a national network to share best practices.

The youths stressed the need to have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Censored News original series on the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.