UN Working Group on a Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (WGDD)
Welcome to the website of the U.S. inter-agency delegation to the United Nation's Working Group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (WGDD). In addition to the U.S. Department of State, the inter-agency delegation includes the Departments of Justice and Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The U.N. Draft Declaration http://www.unhchr.ch/huridocda/huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/E.CN.4.SUB.2.RES.1994.45.En?OpenDocument has been under consideration by the U.N. member governments since 1994. The draft contains 45 articles and includes references to management of land and resources as well as to self-government and the relationship between States and Indigenous peoples. Proposals by the Chairperson/Rapporteur relating to the draft declaration can be found at http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G05/133/60/PDF/G0513360.pdf?OpenElement
The eleventh session of the Working Group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will take place from 14 to 25 November and from 12 to 16 December 2005 in Geneva.
Information on the Working Group, including information for those interested in taking part in it, can be found at: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/groups/groups-02.htm
The U.S. inter-agency delegation to the United Nations Working Group on the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be holding a meeting on August 15 and 16, 2005, following the National Museum of the American Indian's National Powwow event, which is being held from August 12-14 (www.nmai.si.edu).
The Department encourages tribal representatives to review the documents and invitation on this site and send comments and RSVPs to wgdd@state.gov. If technical difficulties with this email address arise, please direct questions to 202-647-3088.
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