The document summarizes Eric Listening Owl's intervention at a North American Civil Society Consultation regarding water, sanitation, and human settlements issues as they relate to indigenous peoples. The intervention stressed that indigenous peoples have a unique relationship with the land and ecosystems, view water as a human right, and have faced oppression and marginalization through colonial policies. It argued that indigenous peoples should have a strong voice in decisions affecting the environment. The intervention then focused on issues facing indigenous peoples in the U.S., including a lack of sufficient support programs, varying levels of recognition between federally, state, and non-recognized groups, and a need for community-based sustainable development plans to reduce poverty. It concluded by calling for action

1. Intervention by
Eric Listening Owl, Founder/President
International Institute for the Study and Preservation of Aboriginal Peoples
and their Cultures (IISPAPC)
to
North American Civil Society Consultation to provide input into
2004 UNEP Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GMEF)
on
CSD12 Theme: Water, Sanitation and Human Settlements
Wednesday, 10 December 2003
Woodrow Wilson Institute for Scholars
Washington, D.C.

2. Madam Chairperson,
The International Institute for the Study and Preservation of Aboriginal Peoples and their
Cultures is very pleased to have been invited to participate in today’s civil society round
table discussion on water, sanitation and human settlement issues in North America. I
have reviewed the background documents that were provided us in advance.
Accordingly, it is imperative that my intervention begin by stressing the importance of
the following regarding Indigenous Peoples for inclusion in the text to be considered at
the 2004 Global Ministerial Environment Forum:
• Indigenous Peoples of North America, as globally, have a unique relationship
with the land and its ecosystems.
• Indigenous Peoples recognize water as the giver and sustainer of life and
therefore, a human right.
• A continuum of policies and practices, including colonialism, has led to the
oppression, disenfranchisement and resultant marginalisation of Indigenous
Peoples.
• The loss of Indigenous Peoples cultures, languages and traditions are linked
to the loss of knowledge of, and about, their ancestral lands, territories and
ecosystems.
• It is a human right for Indigenous Peoples to live sustainably on their
ancestral lands and territories.
• It is an Indigenous Peoples Traditional belief and sacred responsibility to
preserve “Mother Earth” for the next seven generations and as such, should
have a boisterous voice in any and all decisions concerning her welfare.
The balance of my intervention will focus specifically on issues relating to U.S. policy
regarding Indigenous Peoples and action-oriented, rights-based initiatives. The bulk of
U.S. policy on Indigenous Peoples focuses on those Nations/Bands that it recognizes as
sovereign dependents. With this designation the U.S. government has established
programs and initiatives that are mandated to provide for the health and well being of
“federally recognized” Indigenous Peoples. However, the July 2003 report of the U.S.
Commission on Civil Rights, entitled “A Quiet Crisis, Federal Funding and Unmet Needs
in Indian Country” finds the programs and initiatives directed to Indigenous Peoples has
not been sufficient to meet the urgent needs. It is also important to understand that those
Indigenous Peoples that are not “federally recognized” fall under the jurisdiction of the
state(s) or territory(ies) in which they reside.
Each state or territory has its own criteria for recognition of Indigenous Peoples residing
within its borders. State recognition brings only recognition as a distinct group having
historical or pre-historical ties to the land. There is no special entitlement at the state
level. Therefore, “state recognized” Indigenous Peoples must rely on the infrastructure of
the state for safety and well being or develop the capacity to do so themselves. There are
a third strata of Indigenous Peoples that have not attained federal or state “recognition”.

3. Across the three strata of “recognition” Indigenous Peoples live in rural, suburban, and
urban communities. To reduce poverty and promote sustainable development within
Indigenous Communities these communities must first be identified and then assessments
taken. Cultural and linguistic assessment tools must be designed that provide core data
within homogeneous communities, yet sufficiently flexible to be portable. Assessment
and mapping of geographic, political and social infrastructure must also be conducted.
A community-based model design must be utilized where the Indigenous Community
provides the personnel to assist in conducting the assessments and where the community
participates fully in designing the community’s sustainable economic development
master plan. Through design and implementation of community sustainable economic
development master plans Indigenous Communities, as members of civil society, engage
government and business within the framework of their respective cultures and traditions.
Developing strong information networks with and among Indigenous Communities is
essential to the success of this process. UNEP and UNESCO, as lead intergovernmental
agencies, can collaborate with Indigenous Peoples Organisations (IPOs) to advise
governments on the value of including community sustainable economic development
master plans in state and national development plans. UNEP and UNESCO, has within
it’s realm, the power and opportunity to become a powerful voice and instrument for a
group of Human Beings Native to the U.S. that have for too long remained “voiceless”.
This voice needs to be heard and consulted with if we are to be truly inclusive in our
efforts towards economic and sustainable development.
In conclusion, action-oriented, rights-based community initiatives are the path to
sustainability. Indigenous Peoples have understood these concepts and lived them since
time immemorial. Human beings are a part of our environment, caretakers for
tomorrow’s generations, not lords and conquerors.
Thank You.