Fourth World Eye Blog » People

Dina Gilio-Whitaker Joins FWE & CWIS Research

Rudolph C. Rÿser, Ph.D. — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:16:57 +0000

Dina Gilio-Whitaker joins contributors to the Fourth World Eye with a background in American Indian culture, education and history with a Masters degree in Native American Studies and American Studies from the University of New Mexico. Her research interests emphasize decolonization theory, indigenous environmental justice, and international indigenous issues. As an undergraduate she graduated summa cum laude, and graduated with distinction from her master’s program.

Though she lives in Southern California Dina is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes where she lives as a freelance writer. She is a frequent op ed and story contributor to Indian Country Today news magazine, appeared on Huffington Post, Indianz.com and she is an accomplished essayist and American Indian artist.

She is deeply interested not only in how the processes of history has affected today’s American Indian people, but in how those processes play out in American history narratives. Histories are subject to change depending on the particular historical moment, who is telling the history, and for what reason. She says, “American historical narratives of American Indians have been incomplete but fortunately are being filled in by Native people themselves, giving a much more nuanced and accurate understanding of American history.” Dina’s contributions to the FWE promise to enlighten and inform readers.

We welcome Dina as a contributor to the Fourth World Eye and we also welcome Dina as a new Research Associate at the Center for World Indigenous Studies.

Dina Gilio-Whitaker, Indian Country Today, freelance writer

Aymara Delegation Visits Center

Rudolph C. Rÿser, Ph.D. — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:38:35 +0000

A delegation of education and cultural leaders from Bolivia sponsored by the US Department of State People-to-People Program met for a briefing at the Center for World Indigenous Studies on 3 July 2012. Dr. Rudolph Ryser, Dr. Leslie Korn and Marlene Bremner met the delegation.

As a part of an ongoing collaboration between the Center for World Indigenous Studies and the World Affairs Council (in cooperation with the US Department of State) the Center’s Chair, Dr. Rudolph Ryser, engaged in a two hour colloquy with members of a delegation visiting the United States from the Plurainational State of Bolivia. Traveling to venues throughout the United States, the delegation included representatives from Aymara and Quechua communities concerned with the development of relations with Indian nations in the US and exploring methods for improving hemispheric cooperation. The talks ranged from discussions about the Museo Nacional de etngrafia y Folklore in La Paz, to intercultural cooperation and the Saririn Suma Wiñay Thaqipa , preventing the loss of native languages, and cultural research in the Andes.

From left: Marcelino Machiacado Montano, Milton Eyzaguirre Morales, Dr. Ryser, Iris Anabel Ortega Balboa, Marianeta Machiacado Machiacado, Gregorio Callizaya Apaza

Members of the Bolivian delegation included: Milton Eyzaguirre Morales, Head of the Cultural Promotion and Dissemination Office, National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore; Ms. Marianeta Machiacado Machiacado Educator for Sariri Center for the Studies of Andean and Amazonic World Views, La Paz from the Comunidad Sariri); Gregorio Callizaya Apaza Professor, School of Linguistics, National University of San Andres, La Paz; and Ms. Iris Anabel Ortega Balboa, Educator and Researcher at the Sariri Center for the Studies of Andean and Amazonic World Views and Marcelino Machiacado Montano, General Project Coordinator, Jatha (Seed) Cultural Group in La Paz.

It was agreed after exchanging gifts that the Center and the various Bolivian organizations will continue to exchange and seek opportunities for collaboration in the future.

Jarawa in India on Verge of Extinction

Mirjam Hirch — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 08:05:43 +0000

Human safaris, the incresing pressure of resources depletion and development have been wreaking havoc on one of India’s most ancient tribes. A recent documentary illustrates some of the ares of tension.

Outsiders need to start listening to what the tribes themselves have to say on matters affecting them and the existential questions that have to be tackled.

Dr. Mirjam Hirch

Rudolph C. Rÿser, Ph.D. — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:49:31 +0000

She was an intern at the Center for World Indigenous Studies in 2001 and then she took on the important responsibilities of a CWIS Fellow focusing on Traditional Medicine Policy. She traveled to Tajikistan, to Switzerland, Mexico and Australia advocating the development of an implementation of policies in governments and international organizations that will advance the practice of traditional medicine. Then she traveled to Canada to explore the question of oolichan oil and its benefits for health. And, while she did all of this she became an Associate Scholar of the Center for World Indigenous Studies. The woman who set on a vigorous course of research and advocacy is Mirjam Hirch from Darmstadt, Germany.

Dr. Mirjam Hirch, Darmstadt, Germany

Not satisfied with these accomplishments Mirjam has added another achievement: She has earned her doctorate and is now Dr. Mirjam Hirch.

We at the Center for World Indigenous Studies are very proud of Dr. Hirch’s accomplishment and offer our very best congratulations. The world has in Mirjam a powerful voice for the benefit of traditional medicine and for indigenous peoples. Thank you Dr. Mirjam Hirch!

Technorati Tags: Mirjam Hirch, doctorate, Dr. Mirjam Hirch, traditional medicine

Appoint Tauli-Corpuz to UN Post

Rudolph C. Rÿser, Ph.D. — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:06:50 +0000

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is preparing to appoint a new UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism in its new term. The Center for World Indigenous Studies, along with numerous other organizations and leaders has endorsed Ms. Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpuz from the Philippines to fill that post.

Vicky, as many know her, is perfectly qualified for the post and her appointment will be a strong statement by the United Nations Human Rights Council that the cause and concerns of indigenous peoples has reached the first tier of consideration. While the Special Rapporteur would clearly focus on all forms of racism affecting all marginalized populations, Vicky’s experience and personal knowledge of the situation of indigenous peoples will open wholly new avenues of inquiry and reportage for the UNHRC. Sensitive to the complex cross currents that give rise to racial discrimination, Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpuz will serve with a powerful and incisive voice.

Some of her qualifications are well known, but bear repeating here:

* She is one of the world’s most active and committed advocates for the human
rights of marginalized groups.

* She has extensive experience and expertise in the area of racism,
discrimination and intolerance, strongly grounded in the realities and
struggles faced by indigenous peoples and women.

* She has worked with various stakeholders and established an extensive network
among women, indigenous peoples, minorities as well as with government
officials in various countries and UN bodies, which will assist in engaging
with a variety of stakeholders to discharge the mandate in an accountable
manner.

* Her work extends beyond state level advocacy to regional and international
standard setting. At the state level, she was a commissioner of the
National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) from 2001-2004.
At the global level, she was the Chairperson-Rapporteur (1997-2005) and
member (1994-1996) of the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Fund for
Indigenous Populations (1997-2005); and Chairperson of the UN Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues (2005-2010).

* She has comprehensive and practical knowledge of international human rights
instruments and mechanisms. She played a key role in the drafting and
negotiations of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007) and the Beijing Indigenous
Women’s Declaration (2005). She spent 5 years leading the UN Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues as Chairperson (2005-2010).

* Founding member of numerous civil society initiatives and groups on human
rights of indigenous peoples and women, as well as climate justice, social
justice, poverty and self-determined sustainable development at the
national, regional and international levels. She is currently Executive
Director of Tebtebba (Indigenous People’s International Centre for Policy
Research and Education).

The world will benefit enormously from the service of Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpuz!

Technorati Tags: Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpuz, UN, UN Human Rights Council, Tebtebba, Indigenous People’s International Centre for Policy Research and Education, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, UN Permant Forum on Indigenous Issues, Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Racism, Racism, UN Special Rapporteur, Center for World Indigenous Studies

Applying Indigenous Knowledge

Rudolph C. Rÿser, Ph.D. — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:18:21 +0000

Bolivia’s Foreign Minister since 2006, David Choquehuanca is a leading voice in favor of promoting traditional knowledge and its parallel application to climate change mitigation and adaptation approaches. Foreign Minister Choquehuanca is Aymara born near Lake Titicaca in 1961. He holds a graduate degree in History and Anthropology based on his dissertation, “Rights of Indigenous Peoples” earned at the University Cordillera (CIDES-UMSA).

Bolivian foreign Minister David Choquehuanca (Photo by: John Vidal)

In a recent interview with the Guardian in the United Kingdom, Minister Choquehuanca offered his analysis and the importance of indigenous peoples becoming active interlocutors in local, country, regional and international negotiations on climate change.

Talks at the local, regional, country-wide and international levels continue to build a consensus that measures can and must be taken by carbon dioxide producing countries and businesses to mitigate and formulate strategies for adapting to the adverse affects of climate change. While some political views express doubts about the sources of climate changes, it is our view at the Center that it makes no difference who causes the problem now…the problem exists and indigenous peoples must act to protect themselves with new strategies for adaptation.

In talks throughout the world we and many others offering analysis and proposals for climate change treaty language have urged the UN, states’ governments, businesses, labor unions, civil society groups and others to “respect traditional knowledge” and incorporate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples principles — notably “free, prior and informed consent” into treaty language. At various points there have been willing expressions of support and often general silence in response to these concepts.

Where there is willing or reluctant acceptance indigenous peoples have celebrated some progress in the talks. Where, of course, there is silence indigenous peoples have expressed concern and surprise.

We at the Center and some with whom we have been working among indigenous organizations have called for a new strategy that involves indigenous peoples proclaiming a willingness to deny access to territories and resources (for states and businesses) and only opening access in exchange for a place at the negotiating table for many indigenous peoples. The strategy also calls for providing a concrete explanation of what we mean by traditional or community knowledge and how such knowledge can and will benefit indigenous peoples as well as metropolitan populations.

There are many indigenous sciences that form the basis of differing systems of traditional knowledge. Carefully and thoughtfully developing an understanding between indigenous peoples and between indigenous peoples and metropolitan societies will help create an understanding of traditional knowledge and its application to climate change adaptation strategies.

Minister Choquehuanca offers his understanding of the Aymara perspective on approaches to climate change. While his analysis and perspective is in the nature of philosophy, one will expect that he will become more specific as to the application of Aymara knowledge to the matters of climate change. The Guardian interviewed Minister Choquehuanca offering a glimpse of traditional knowledge from the Aymara perspective.

Of particular relevance to the broader discussion of traditional knowledge is Mr. Choquehuanca’s observation:

“Our philosophy tells us that [other nations'] problems are also our problems. We have to work the balance between people, between regions, between continents, between countries, a balance between man and nature. Development – the one implemented by western societies – has an impact in this balance. It has generated considerable imbalances between people and regions. It has created a million problems. Today we are talking of crisis, energy crisis, financial crisis, food crisis, institutional crisis, climate change; we indigenous people can contribute to solving all these crises with our values for the attainment of balance.”

The values “for the attainment of balance” can be expressed as Aymara science–a system of knowledge. Each indigenous nations must consider its own science, its own system of knowledge to realize how that knowledge can be applied to problems like mitigation and adaptation to climate change. We have different systems of knowledge, but they do not communicate. There is a huge gap between the systems. We must find ways to bridge the gap so that the problems of nations can be constructively and cooperatively understood and resolved. That will benefit indigenous nations and all peoples.
Technorati Tags: Bolivia, Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca, Aymara, President Evo Morales, UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.Aymara science, traditional knowledge systems, indigenous nations, carbon dioxide, climate change,

CWIS Associate Scholars Achieve

Rudolph C. Rÿser, Ph.D. — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:13:51 +0000

The Center for World Indigenous Studies Associate Scholars Program calls upon the best and the brightest scholarly leaders worldwide who work with Fourth World Nations and will share their knowledge and perspectives for the benefit of Fourth World peoples. The Center’s program experiences great success in large measure because of the accomplishments of the Scholars.

“An Associate Scholar is an individual dedicated to understanding and applying the ancient knowledge of a Fourth World nation(s) for the benefit of Fourth World nations. Associate Scholars undertake research to elaborate and extend traditional knowledge to explain phenomena, ideas and challenges facing Fourth World Nations and to contribute to the growing body of traditional knowledge for all of humanity.”

Six extraordinary Associate Scholars demonstrate the great value of the Center’s program, and I want now to review who these people are.

Mirjam Hirch

(Mirjam Hirch (left) with award presenter)

Associate Scholar and CWIS Fellow for Traditional Health Geography Mirjam Hirch (Darmstadt, Germany) has been awarded Best Presentation
Prize for her paper delivered at the November 2010 7th Kastelli Symposium in Oulu, Finland. Presenting on her topic, “the disruptive potential of geography in indigenous peoples’ health.” The theme of the symposium was “People in a changing world.”

The Thule Institute and the University of Oulu in cooperation with the University of Arctic Thematic Networks on Global Change and Arctic Medicine organized the symposium. Ms. Hirch’s presentation accompanied keynote presentations by Gert Mulvad of Greenland, Hannu Heikkinen of Finland, Joan Nymand Larsen of Island and Gunhild Hoogensen of Norway.

Bo-i Era España

(Bo-i Era España [left] with CWIS Chair Rudolph Rÿser)

Ms. Bo-i Era España of the Monuvu in Southern Mindanao, the Philippines. Ms. España is the Tribal Chieftain of the Monuvu and a traditional knowledge scholar emphasizing stories and legends, customary law on the protection of women and children and customary law in the ancestral domain. Ms.España has honored her work by posting a video entitled: “Equality of Men and Women in Monuvu Perspective” on The iLeap Blog. You may view the video by clicking http://ileap.org/blog/?p=3473 or pasting the URL in your browser.

Dr. Leslie E. Korn

(Dr. Leslie E. Korn in Tuito, Jalisco, Mexico)

Associate Scholar and Center for Traditional Medicine Director Dr. Leslie E. Korn has been recognized by the F. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State for her accomplishments as a Fulbright Scholar. She recently completed a nine-month study of traditional medicinal plants and animals in the jungles of western Mexico. She conducted field work interviewing traditional healers and trekked in the jungle collecting plants identified by healers and then documenting them and the knowledge surrounding each plant.

Emmanuel G.V. Dolo

Mr. Emmanuel G. V. Dolo is the Founder and Executive Director of Population Caring Organization (Liberia and Ghana). You may view PCO information here http://populationcaring.org/ by clicking on the URL or pasting it into your browser. The Population Caring Organization was founded in
May 2003 in response to the needs of Liberian refugees in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement in Ghana. At the time, Buduburam was home to more than 42,000 refugees from the Liberian civil war. PCO was founded by Mr. Emmanuel G.V. Dolo, a Liberian refugee living in Ghana. Mr. Dolo is an iLeap International Scholar.

Dr. Gilbert Rochon

CWIS Associate Scholar Dr. Gilbert Rochon was chosen 17 September this year by the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees to become the 6th President of this historic and prestigious university on 1 November 2010. Dr. Rochon had been serving as the Senior Research scientist at the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing and also the director of the Terrestrial Observatory at Purdue University in Indiana, USA. Tuskegee University’s first president in 1881 was Dr. Booker T. Washington (1881-1915) the acclaimed civil rights, human rights, and educational leader who set the early tone for quality, practical and scholarly learning–a legacy Dr. Rochon is supremely qualified to carry forward.

Dr. Randal Bowers

CWIS Associate Scholar Dr. Kisku Sa’qawei Pag’tism (Randolph Bowers) has accepted appointment as Senior Lecturer and Program Leaders in Counselling at the University of Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia (http://www.usc.edu.au/) beginning in 2011. The University opened in 1996 and now has 7000 learners. It’s published mission is: “To be the major catalyst for the innovative and sustainable economic, cultural and educational advancement of the region, through the pursuit of international standards in teaching, research and engagement.”

Dr. Bowers’ professional contributions are certainly at the level of international standards consistent with and exceeding the University’s mission.

CWIS Associate scholars in the Fourth World have a profound influence on ideas and in particular the application of traditional knowledge, indigenous peoples’ sciences and philosophies for the benefit of Fourth World peoples. We are proud to be working with so many who accomplish so much.

Canada and its “recognition” of the UNDRIP

Cristine Soliz — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:14:12 +0000

The 2010 Federal Throne Speech of the Canadian government hinted at a shift in Canada’s position on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It reads: “We are a country with an Aboriginal heritage. A growing number of states have given qualified recognition to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Our Government will take steps to endorse this aspirational document in a manner fully consistent with Canada’s Constitution and laws.”

The UNDRIP adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1992, was signed by all member countries except 4: New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States. These countries have the most indigenous peoples in their territories, and certain language (such as “peoples” and “self-determination”) left these States’ governments feeling skiddish about implementing the Declaration. Since then, Australia and New Zealand have changed their position from “no” to “yes,” leaving Canada and the United States in the spotlight as the 2 that won’t sign on.

That’s why the recent throne speech in Canada is so exciting to some: if Canada signs, then the U.S. will not want to be the sole refuser of the Declaration (so the logic goes). However, we shouldn’t jump the gun just yet. The wording of the speech itself is vague at best. It calls the Declaration an “aspirational” document and that it will “take steps” to endorse it. These things, unfortunately, can mean nothing. Endorsing and supporting a declaration is a far cry from implementing those standards in policy decisions.

My colleague Tiffany Waters and I attended the North American Indigenous People’s Caucus to the UN Permanent Forum in Edmonton, Alberta earlier this month at the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation. In preparation for the 9th Session of the Permanent Forum next month in New York, participants discussed the policy obstacles in both the U.S. and Canada with regards to the UNDRIP. Members of the Caucus were not wholly impressed with the wording of the Throne speech, but did hope that it would urge the Obama administration to move more quickly in formulating a position on the Declaration.

Tribal nations in Canada have been rallying the federal government to adopt the Declaration. Other than applying that kind of pressure, what really needs attention are the “government-to-government” by which federal and tribal governments communicate with each other. Tribal governments need to initiate the creation of an intergovernmental framework with the federal government which will be the means to negotiation mutually-beneficial policies, instead of consultation policy (which essentially means “we talk, you listen”).

Welcome Contributors Waters and Davis

Mirjam Hirch — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:40:47 +0000

I wish to let all of our readers know that two new contributors have now been added to the Fourth World Eye roster. Tiffany Waters, Deputy Director and Research Associate at the Center for World Indigenous Studies will now add her insights, observations and analysis to these pages. Renee Davis, Research Associate at the Center will also add her words and thoughts to these pages.

I believe they will provide interesting reading, new insights and information from and about the Fourth World that will ensure you remain up to date, and involved in the key issues of the day.

Welcome to you both.

Tiffany Waters, Renee Davis, Fourth World Eye

Miquel Alfonso Martinez – Diplomat and Friend

Mirjam Hirch — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:15:56 +0000

After losing one friend it appears I have lost yet another. Dr. Miquel J. Alfonso Martinez, one Cuba’s most outstanding diplomats who in my experience played a dominant role in the development of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations (as one of its active members). Alfonso had been, as he told me, a speech writer for Fidel Castro just as I told him I had been a speech writer for the great Quinualt Nation leader Joe DeLacruz. We found common ground and experiences quickly. As we got to know each other I told him that I was actively engaged in efforts to facilitate peace talks between the Miskito, Sumo and Rama and the Nicaraguan government in the middle 1980s. Meeting in Genevé, Switzerland Alfonso and I talked about this for some time and I suggested to him that Fidel Castro was known to have a favored spot for North American Indians because Indians in Eastern Cuba had protected him and his troops during his battles with Batista during the revolt in the 1950s. I asked if he would carry a message to Fidel asking him to send a message to Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega. The message was to ask Ortega to cease the war with the Indians and engage in peace talks to bring the “third front” to an end. Alfonso, said in his graceful English, “I will try, but I can’t promise anything.” (Nicaragua was then fighting against attacks from Honduras and from Costa Rica at the same time the Nicaraguans were attacking Indian villages all along the east coast using helicopter gun ships and missiles.)

Within a short time, Ortega invited Miskito leader Brooklyn Rivera to engage in peace talks. While there had been a round of talks in Columbia they had failed to move the process. These talks were subsequently convened in Mexico City at the Mexican Foreign Ministry. A temporary halt of hostilities was agreed to. Though it took five more years before the war between the Miskito, Sumo and Rama with Nicaragua came to an end and several more rounds of peace negotiations, it was Miguel Alfonso Martinez’s quiet diplomacy that helped bring that messy war to an end.

Alfonso had served as the UN Special Rapporteur for the Study on Treaties, Agreements and Constructive Arrangements between States and Indigenous Peoples, having been a former Chair of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. His work as the Special Rapporteur produced a monumental analysis contributing to our collective understanding of the existing and past legal relationships between indigenous nations and states. His report became an important contribution to the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. For this work he was both praised and condemned. I for one remain among those who hold him in high praise.

I shall not forget this genteel intellectual from Cuba who worked tirelessly for peace, and as a member of the UN Working Group he was a gentle but firm diplomat. I am grateful to this modest man with whom I sipped many coffees in Switzerland and elsewhere. I shall miss him.

miquel alfonso martinez, UN Working Group on Indigenous Populatons, Cuba, Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega, Brooklyn Rivera