Indigenous rights to be focus of Indigenous Border Summit in Arizona

SAN XAVIER, Ariz. -- Indigenous Peoples from the Americas are invited to the Indigenous Peoples' Border Summit of the Americas II, from November 7 - 10.
The San Xavier District of the Tohono O'odham Nation is hosting the border summit, at the San Xavier Community Center, 2018 W. San Xavier Rd, Tohono O'odham Nation.
The summit last year focused on militarization of the borders with Mexico and Canada, Indigenous solidarity and opposition to the border wall along the US/Mexico border.
At the border summit in November 2007, Indigenous Peoples will attend workshops on Indigenous rights, as stated in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and workshops concerning the rights of Indigenous women and other border issues.
Organizers said in a statement, "The Indigenous Peoples' Border Summit of the Americas II will provide the opportunity for Indigenous peoples of the border regions to exchange experiences and information about how the international borders impact their respective communities. It will also create a way to unite Indigenous Peoples to address and resolve issues of mutual concern affecting traditional homelands, cultural and ceremonial practices, sacred sites, treaty rights, health and way of life." The San Xavier Community/District previously hosted border summits in 1989 and 2006, recognizing the critical issues facing the Tohono O'odham and other indigenous nations divided by international border (US/Mexico/Canada). "By again hosting an Indigenous Peoples' Border Summit of the Americas, San Xavier Community wants to promote the human rights of indigenous peoples and support each other in our common struggles," organizers said. The International Indian Treaty Council(IITC) is co-sponsoring the Summit, and will be the fiscal sponsor. The IITC is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America and the Pacific, working for the sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous rights, Treaties, traditional cultures and sacred lands. IITC representatives will provide training and updates on new developments at the United Nations during the Summit, including the recent adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and how we can use the UN to hold countries,including the US, accountable for human rights violations, IITC said. The Indigenous Peoples' Border Summit of the Americas II, will build awareness and educate all peoples about the impacts of polices and practices being carried out along the borders. "We hope that you, your Nations and your organizations can participate and welook forward to seeing you in the San Xavier Community in November, 2007," organizers said. Should you have any questions or need additional information please contact: Kim Garcia at (520) 573-4000 or by e-mail at kgarcia@waknet.org or Mike Flores, (520) 235-2406, email: Michaelflores_@hotmail.com. Thank you for your interest. Agenda at Border Summit website: http://indigenousbordersummitamericas2007.blogspot.com/ San Xavier District is located near the Tucson International Airport