WRH Statement at UNPFII

Written by Philip Burgess

Friday, 22 May 2009 06:45

Today, the Chair of the Board of the World Reindeer Herders Association, Mikhail Pogodaev was able to address the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, thanks to cooperation with member of the council, Pavel Suliandziga, who is also Vice President of RAIPON, the Russian Association for small numbered indigenous peoples. Pogodaev spoke of the challenges to reindeer husbandry, issues related to reindeer husbandry, questions of federal legislation, and made specific mention of the EALAT project. The EALAT project was also mentioned by Evan Bloom, the US State Department representative to the Forum. Pogodaev and ICR employee Burgess aso handed out copied of the book to key Council members (including Chair, Victoria Tauli Corpuz, pictured) and others during this day which had a special focus on the Arctic. There were presentations by ICC and the Sami Council, with climate change and adaptation being key issues highlighted. The Arctic Youth caucus also made a strong statement that highlighted the issues faced by young indigenous peoples and special mention was made of the challenges facing young people that wished to enter reindeer husbandry. A side event was held by GALDU, the Resource Centre for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which had over 70 attendees that discussed Sami self determination. More photographs from this day here  Related Articles/Posts