Lummi to host historic meeting of the nations

by: Redwing Cloud

Proposed 'Treaty of Indigenous Nations' on the agenda

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Lummi Indian Nation has volunteered to host a historic meeting July 31 - Aug 2 between U.S. tribes and the First Nations of Canada to discuss the merits of a proposed ''Treaty of Indigenous Nations'' agreement.

''The purpose of the treaty is to create the foundation for an international political and economic alliance for trade relations to address the impacts of climate change, protect cultural properties, and to assert traditional rights to cross international borders,'' said Alan Parker, professor at Evergreen State College and co-chair of the National Congress of American Indians' Special Committee on Indigenous Nations Relationships.

The Special Committee met with the New Zealand Ngati Awa tribes of Aotearoa and First Nations in 2004, 2005 and 2006 to develop the draft treaty.

''The proposed treaty represents three years of consultation and deliberations. We believe that we have distilled the ideas and analysis of some of the best thinkers in the indigenous world in developing the proposal,'' Parker said.

Parker said he feels the primary objective behind the treaty is for indigenous nations to exercise their inherent right to govern themselves, given to them by the Creator and not from a colonial government.

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