Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 4, 1 April 1991 — 1993 is International Indigenous Year [ARTICLE]

1993 is International Indigenous Year

In recognition of the United Nations General Assembly's declaration of 1993 as the "International Year for the World's Indigenous People," the Hawai'i Legislature has adopted a concurrent resolution of support for its observance nationally and in Hawai'i. The resolution notes the cultural and philosophical practices and knowledge of the world's indigenous peoples are invaluable and must be understood, appreciated and respected by all the world's societies. It also recognizes that many crimes against humanity are committed against indigenous peoples and that international attention

is now being focused on the rights, liberties and responsibilities of these peoples and the societies whieh often exercise governance over them. Noting that 1993 is the centennial of the overthrow of Queen Lili'uokalani, "an indigenous ruler over a onee independent nation of Hawai'i," the legislature said the year's observance is of particular relevance.

The resolution calls for full involvement of the Hawaiian people, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and all of Hawaii's civic organizations in cooperation with the Hawai'i Council for the Year 1993 and beyond to plan and participate in activities to promote mutual understanding, appreciation and peaee in Asia and the Facific. Copies of the resolution were sent to the chairperson of the United Nations Committee on Human Rights, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Fresident of the United States, the chairperson of Hawaii's congressional delegation, the chairperson of OHA and the Secretary-General of the South Pacific Forum.