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Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and EMRIP
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September 20, 2017

Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and EMRIP

Statement by the United States of America as delivered by Katherine Gorove

Human Rights Council 36th Session
Geneva, September 20, 2017

The U.S. thanks the SR and the Chair of EMRIP for their respective studies and presentations.  On EMRIP’s study on access to financial services by indigenous peoples, the United States recognizes that access to resources for tribal businesses contributes to prosperous and resilient tribal communities.  In fiscal year 2015, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs provided $400,000 to create or expand start-up firms in Native American communities.  This office also provided support to SBA field offices throughout the country to counsel and train over 12,500 Native American small business owners.  Twenty-three business development training events were held across sixteen states.  Participants estimated that this training would result in the creation of about 500 full-time and 200 part-time jobs.

The EMRIP report notes that indigenous women, youth, and persons with disabilities face particular challenges in obtaining information and resources to bolster indigenous businesses.  We would like to ask what particular measures might be taken – either by member states or other actors – to address this?

Thank you