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Letter: 'Fighting Sioux' violates human rights
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Filed Under: Opinion

"On Sept. 13, the United Nations General Assembly approved the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It has taken more than 20 years for the passage of a declaration outlining the minimum floor of human rights for indigenous peoples around the globe.

Four nation-states opposed adoption of the Declaration - the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It is no surprise to tribal nations in the U.S. that the supposed advocate for human rights around the world continues to oppose basic protections for those Native to this land and other lands. Even with this opposition, the overwhelming majority of U.N. members (143) voted in favor of these basic protections to provide guidance around the globe.

Article 31 of the declaration states that indigenous peoples have the right to control and protect their cultural traditions and expressions, including in sports. As an alum of the UND School of Law, I am still deeply offended by the continued exploitation of my people, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Oyate, commonly referred to as the “Sioux” by non-Natives. Not only is this offense a continuing educational barrier that should be removed to serve the educational needs of Native peoples in the area, but now it is a violation of the basic human rights principles of indigenous peoples recognized around the world."

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Relevant Links:
University of North Dakota - http://www.und.edu
The Ralph - http://www.theralph.com
Fighting Sioux - http://www.fightingsioux.com

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