SCW Design©2008 Thanks to Chief Oren Lyons, Onondaga Nation. Section and article headings by American Indian Law Alliance, www.ailanyc.org.

Transforms this important, historical document into a vibrant, accessible, visible Declaration. The Declaration has the potential to dramatically alter relations between Indigenous peoples and governments around the world.

Australia will sign UN Charter on indigenous rights

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The High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomes the adoption of the Declaration by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007 as a triumph for justice and human dignity following more than two decades of negotiations between governments and Indigenous peoples' representatives. The UN Declaration was adopted by a majority of 144 states in favor, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions. The Declaration establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, well-being and rights of the world's indigenous peoples. The Declaration addresses both individual and collective rights; cultural rights and identity. It also ensures the right to remain distinct and to pursue their own priorities in economic, social and cultural development. Chief Oren Lyons of the Onondaga Nation and Tonya Gonnella Frichner advised SCW on production. Both worked for more than 20 years to make the Declaration a reality. Tonya was recently appointed the North American regional representative to the UN's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues which was established in 2000. www.onondaganation.org

President Obama needs to hear from you—today. He needs to know that all Americans believe that the day has come for him to endorse the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This Declaration marks the first time the United Nations has agreed on a single set of values governing relations between national governments and Indigenous Peoples living within their borders. It promises that governments will respect tribal rights to lands and sacred places, and spells out Native Peoples' right to self-determination. It also prevents governments from using tribal land for military purposes. And, it prohibits any development projects on tribal lands-mines, logging, hydroelectric dams, etc- without the tribes' free, prior, and informed consent. The Declaration is a key step towards realizing full governmental recognition and respect for Indigenous Peoples' rights, including their rights to their languages, cultures, and spiritual practices.

The United States is already a party to other international treaties that protect the rights inscribed in this Declaration. Indeed, when it comes to children, women, or disabled people, those rights are specifically elaborated in separate treaties that many, if not most, countries have ratified. For Indigenous Peoples, it has taken almost 25 years to get their rights clarified in a United Nations Declaration. The question of a legally binding international treaty is not even on the table.

The United States the last country that have not endorsed the Declaration (Canada just endorsed it). President Obama is reviewing it now, but review is not enough; nor is consent with reservations. Though not having the force of treaties, Declarations are morally binding on countries. They affect the work of the United Nations, inform international and national law, and influence debates on human rights.

Please write to President Obama today, asking him to endorse the Declaration and abide by the rights it sets forth.

A model letter is available here.