Thread: Obama Goes Nativist: 'The Border Crossed Them'

by AWR Hawkins
8 Feb 2013, 3:04 PM PDT
breitbart.com



Offering comments on behalf of outgoing Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Wednesday, President Obama suggested the Hispanic Cabinet member is more authentically American than New England's Pilgrims.

"His ancestors were here before the Mayflower set sail," Obama noted.

Obama talked about Salazar's (pictured, left) Spanish roots and segued from that to focus on how hard he's "working to get immigration reform passed."

The President then repeated a phrase common among Nativists, insinuating that lands belong to ethnicities and not countries: "[Salazar and] his family did not cross the border, the border crossed them. And that's why, when I needed somebody to lead Interior, I didn't have to look very far."

Obama Goes Nativist: 'The Border Crossed Them'

wow, Obama might as well be an illegal immigrant himself.

W

Sounds like he might might have a lot on his mind.

Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

Introduction Prof. James Anaya (United States of America) since 2008 © UN Photo Indigenous peoples across the world experience the consequences of historical colonization and invasion of their territories, and face discrimination because of their distinct cultures, identities and ways of life. In recent decades, the international community has given special attention to the human rights situations of indigenous peoples, as shown by the adoption of international standards and guidelines, as well as by the establishment of institutions and bodies that specifically target these peoples’ concerns. The rights of indigenous peoples are further promoted by international and regional human rights mechanisms. (See Indigenous Peoples In this context, the Commission on Human Rights decided to appoint in 2001 a Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, as part of the system of thematic Special Procedures. The Special Rapporteur’s mandate was renewed by the Commission on Human Rights in 2004, and by the Human Rights Council in 2007. (See Mandate). In the fulfillment of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur: Promotes good practices, including new laws, government programs, and constructive agreements between indigenous peoples and states, to implement international standards concerning the rights of indigenous peoples (SeePromotion of good practices); Reports on the overall human rights situations of indigenous peoples in selected countries (See Country reports); Addresses specific cases of alleged violations of the rights of indigenous peoples through communications with Governments and others (See Communications); Conducts or contributes to thematic studies on topics of special importance regarding the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples (See Thematic studies). The Special Rapporteur undertakes efforts to follow-up on the recommendations included in his or his predecessor’s reports in relation to the foregoing areas of work (See Follow-up of recommendations). Additionally, he reports annually on his activities to the Human Rights Council (See Annual reports). Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples

U.S. must heal native peoples' wounds, return lands: U.N.





By Louis Charbonneau
UNITED NATIONS | Fri May 4, 2012 7:30pm EDT

(Reuters) - The United States must do more to heal the wounds of indigenous peoples caused by more than a century of oppression, including restoring control over lands Native Americans consider to be sacred, a U.N. human rights investigator said on Friday.

James Anaya, the U.N. special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, just completed a 12-day visit to the United States where he met with representatives of indigenous peoples in the District of Columbia, Arizona, Alaska, Oregon, Washington State, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. He also met with U.S. government officials.

"I have heard stories that make evident the profound hurt that indigenous peoples continue to feel because of the history of oppression they have faced," Anaya said in a statement issued by the U.N. human rights office in Geneva.

That oppression, he said, has included the seizure of lands and resources, the removal of children from their families and communities, the loss of languages, violation of treaties, and brutality, all grounded in racial discrimination.

Anaya welcomed the U.S. decision to endorse the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2010 and other steps the government has taken, but said more was needed. His findings will be included in a final report submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council. While not binding, the recommendations carry moral weight that can influence governments.

"It is clear that this history does not just blemish the past, but translates into present day disadvantage for indigenous peoples in the country," Anaya said.
"There have still not been adequate measures of reconciliation to overcome the persistent legacies of the history of oppression, and that there is still much healing that needs to be done," he said.

In Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, where some Native Americans depend on hunting and fishing, Anaya said tribes face "ever-greater threats ... due to a growing surge of competing interests, and in some cases incompatible extractive activities, over these lands and resources."

"In Alaska, indigenous peoples complain about a complex and overly restrictive state regulatory apparatus that impedes their access to subsistence resources (fish and wildlife)," he said.

SACRED LANDS

Mining for natural resources in parts of the country has also caused serious problems for indigenous peoples.

"Past uncontrolled and irresponsible extractive activities, including uranium mining in the Southwest, have resulted in the contamination of indigenous peoples' water sources and other resources, and in numerous documented negative health effects among Native Americans," he said.

He said indigenous peoples feel they have too little control over geographic regions considered sacred to them, like the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona and the Black Hills in South Dakota. Anaya suggested such lands should be returned to Native peoples.

"Securing the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands is of central importance to indigenous peoples' socioeconomic development, self-determination, and cultural integrity," Anaya said.

"Continued efforts to resolve, clarify, and strengthen the protection of indigenous lands, resources, and sacred sites should be made," he added.

Mount Rushmore, a popular tourist attraction, is located in the Black Hills, which the Sioux tribe consider to be sacred and have territorial claims to based on an 1868 treaty. Shortly after that treaty was signed, gold was discovered in the region. U.S. Congress eventually passed a law taking over the land.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1980 that the seizure of the land was illegal and ordered the government to pay compensation. But the Sioux rejected the money and has continued to demand the return of the now public lands.

Anaya said he will make specific recommendations on these and other issues in a full report later this year.

(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

U.S. must heal native peoples' wounds, return lands: U.N. | Reuters
The UN has used this to evict the "Colonists" from their property to return it to what the UN considers its rightful owners.

Being part Cherokee, I think Salazar is the Colonialist. JMO

http://www.alipac.us/f9/obama-announ...-right-271624/

http://www.alipac.us/f9/soldiers-wea...2010-a-271621/