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Pakeha / Tauiwi Support the 2005
International Day of the World's Indigenous People


"All peoples have the right to self determination" United Nations Charter

Photos from Whanganui and Christchurch events

9 August is the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994. It marks the anniversary of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982, which led to the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The text of the Draft Declaration, which gives basic protection to indigenous peoples' human rights, was agreed by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in 1994 ... but is still being negotiated in 2005 as some governments, including the New Zealand government, attempt to water down the text to the point where it becomes essentially meaningless.

This year Pakeha / Tauiwi Treaty educators will be holding vigils in different parts of the country on 9 August with placard messages and information handouts. If you want to support the vigil in your area, check for local details in the Support the International Day of the World's Indigenous People section below. That section will be updated with new contact details and meeting places as they are confirmed in different towns and cities. There is also a section with additional resources below.


Support the International Day of the World's Indigenous People

Tuesday, 9 August 2005

  • Auckland - contact email.

  • Whanganui - from 12 midday to 2pm, in Majestic Square; contact email.
      Photos:   1   |   2   |   3

  • Wellington - from 12 midday to 2pm, in Cuba Mall; contact email.

  • Christchurch - from 12-30pm to 1-30pm, outside Christchurch Cathedral (inside if wet) in the Square; contact email.
      Photos:   1   |   2

  • Elsewhere - contact email and we will put you in touch with other interested people in your area.


    Placards and handouts

    The placards are in a particular order so that each point follows on from the previous one. If you do not have enough people for the whole series, we suggest you start with the first and display them in sequence depending on the number of people you have. Most of the placards have an associated handout which provides more information on the placard text, please feel free to print these to give away or combine them with your own material on the topic.

    The placard texts are listed in sequence below together with the handout for each, the placard texts are also available in a single Word document so you can easily copy them.


  • 9 August is the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994.

      • Associated handout - UN Leaflet on the Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

  • Maori are the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • International law and the common law uphold the human rights and property of indigenous peoples.

  • The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) guarantees to Maori both their lands and their rights to run their own affairs.

  • Government after government has ignored these guarantees and passed laws discriminating against Maori.

  • When the courts have upheld Maori rights, governments have over-ruled their decisions.

  • How would you feel if the government kept taking away your rights and property?

      • No handout

  • Governments have done this because most New Zealanders haven't known our true story or how far we've strayed from fairness.

  • It's time to let our politicians know that we want a new and fairer way forward.


    • Additional resources


    Aotearoa / New Zealand


    International

    'Race', 'Privilege', and 'The Treaty'   |   Peace Movement Aotearoa