WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama made major news during the second annual White House Tribal Nations Conference, announcing United States’ support for the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“[A]s you know, in April, we announced that we were reviewing our position on the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the president said in a speech before tribal leaders Dec. 16 at the Department of the Interior. “And today I can announce that the United States is lending its support to this declaration.

“The aspirations it affirms – including the respect for the institutions and rich cultures of Native peoples – are one we must always seek to fulfill.”

Obama said the administration will release a more detailed statement about U.S. support for the Declaration.

While not legally binding under international law, the U.N. describes the declaration as setting “an important standard for the treatment of indigenous peoples that will undoubtedly be a significant tool towards eliminating human rights violations against the planet’s 370 million indigenous people and assisting them in combating discrimination and marginalization.”

Robert Coulter, director of the Indian Law Resource Center, wrote in a column after the president’s announcement that the endorsement marks the culmination of more than three decades of hard work by indigenous peoples and other members of the international human rights community.

“Our work to ensure justice for Indian nations in this country begins in earnest with the United States’ endorsement of the U.N. Declaration,” Coulter said. “To see the promise of the declaration become a reality, we must continue to fight for laws, policies and relationships that take into account the permanent presence of Indian nations in this country, and throughout the world.”

He said the Declaration not only sets an agenda, it also serves as a “powerful affirmation” of Indian rights. He said it can be used as a guide for procedures and processes in dealing with indigenous peoples, as well as to support and advocate for positive legislation and government action relating to Indian peoples.

The U.N. General Assembly first ratified the Declaration in September 2007. The document received 143 votes in favor, with four negative votes cast – from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Since that time, Australia and New Zealand changed their votes to support.

Many Native Americans believe that adoption of the Declaration will result in significant improvements in the global situation of indigenous peoples.

According to the U.N., there are more than 370 million indigenous people in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific. Even in wealthy countries, such as the U.S., they tend to be among “the most impoverished, marginalized and frequently victimized people in the world,” according to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs.

The president also used his summit speech to clarify his support for the Native American Apology Resolution, which he signed last year, after which he did not make an out-loud apology to Native Americans for the historic federal injustices noted in the legislation. Some Natives said at the time that for the apology to hold weight, he should say it out loud.

“It’s a resolution I fully supported – recognizing that no statement can undo the damage that was done; what it can do is help reaffirm the principles that should guide our future. It’s only by heeding the lessons of our history that we can move forward.”

Obama’s words came as hundreds of tribal leaders were gathered at Interior, invited to interact with high-ranking administration officials in a day-long summit.

It was the second such conference Obama has held since being elected president.

Indian leaders promised to bring a variety of policy matters to the table in an overall effort to forge stronger tribal-federal relations. Many were overjoyed to learn of the president’s support for UNDRIP, with a thunderous applause arising from Interior’s Sydney Yates Auditorium.

On hand were countless major players on the Indian scene, including Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, National Congress of American Indians President Jefferson Keel, IHS Director Yvette Roubideaux, and numerous tribal leaders.

One representative from each federally recognized tribe was invited to attend. Alaska and California tribes presented the vast majority of attendees, according to the White House confirmation list.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, in his opening remarks, called the gathering “a very special occasion” that represented a rarity because so many of Obama’s Cabinet staffers – seven – were in attendance.

“They are here because they believe in all of you and the nation-to-nation relationship,” Salazar said.

© 1998 - 2010 Indian Country Today. All Rights Reserved  To subscribe or visit go to:  http://www.indiancountry.com