Interactive Dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)
Human Rights Council – 54th Session
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you to the members of the expert mechanism for your hard work and Madam Lightfoot for your comments today.
Indigenous knowledge is crucial to solving issues like gender-based violence and climate change.
The United States supports a separate status for Indigenous Peoples in the Human Rights Council so they can share their knowledge and strengthen our efforts. Member States should also incorporate Indigenous input into their work in the Council and domestically.
U.S. federal agencies conduct regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with Tribal Nations and the Native Hawaiian community in the development of Federal policies that have tribal implications.
At the same time, the United States seeks to address our troubled history of federal Indian boarding school implementation and assimilation policies, including their generational effect on Indigenous communities and knowledge. I am grateful that this tragedy was brought to the public attention by a recent popular television series.
This year, the United States’ first Native American Cabinet Secretary and a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, Deb Haaland, visited survivors of the Indian boarding school system and their families. The United States seeks to better understand and address the lasting consequences of generational trauma, territorial dispossession, and loss of indigenous knowledge.
Experts, what best practices can you recommend for incorporating the experience and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Council?
I thank you.
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