Restoring justice by making Peace with the Earth: the necessary dialogue with indigenous people
Reconciliation between Earth and Mankind
We started the day with an interesting presentation on the rights of Indigenous Peoples by Kenneth Deer, Mohawk Nation Leader. He shared the history of the Iroquois Confederacy and the people of Haudenosaunee, including the challenges and victories they experienced, and the fight for self determination.
In addition, he identified 3 key differences between minority and peoples rights: 1) rights to self-determination, 2) rights to land, territory, and natural resources, and 3) exercise their rights collectively.
When yesterday erupts tomorrow: Travel to Kagaba country (Colombia)
Another interesting and moving presentation on indigenous peoples of Kagaba country in Colombia by Eric Julien.
He shared a heartwarming and insightful story of his trip to Colombia and his interactions with the Indigenous Peoples. In particular, he shared how he brought a group of men from Kagaba who have never left their community to meet with the civil society. It was an avenue to explain specific scientific phenomena from indigenous knowledge.
During the meeting, they found out how western and indigenous knowledge shared important and fundamental elements. In Mr. Julien’s presentation, he asked the audience what the main fundamental difference between modern society and the people of Kogis, and how this fundamental difference relates to us today–not surprisingly, « The Law! » In essence, the people who make the law. This is the fundamental difference between modern society and the people of Kogis.
The inquisitiveness and passion for knowledge are defining characteristics of our NCP lauréates that put them in the best position to be change agents and levers of purpose.
We are grateful for this opportunity to be able to provide a platform to promote the causes we support whilst strengthening our community for collective thought and action, as well as inspiration.
Abandoning the Doctrine of Discovery: the contribution of the 2021 IUCN World Congress and its aftermath
Christopher Sudol, J.D. candidate at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, presented his work on the proposed renunciation of the Doctrine of Discovery. It has contributed to the discourse and engaged the audience to think further about the topic from various perspectives, including the lenses of the Roman Catholic Church.
Constancio Paranal III – University of Hawaii, USA
“This was my favorite. The importance of indigenous rights could not be any more emphasized. The speakers provided good practical and experiential knowledge. I think this spoke to us from Hawaii because of Native Hawaiian rights. I actually just found out that my supervisor was the one who wrote the bill and passed the bill in the House of Representatives in two administrations for Native Hawaiians rights. Sadly, it did not pass at the senate. I really enjoyed this session.”