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Transforms this important, historical document into a vibrant, accessible, visible Declaration.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