Statement by John F. Sammis, Deputy Representative to ECOSOC, on the Third Committee Resolution A/C.3/66/L.26/Rev.1 "Rights of Indigenous Peoples"

John F. Sammis
United States Deputy Representative to ECOSOC 

New York, NY

November 18, 2011

AS DELIVERED

The United States is pleased to co-sponsor this resolution on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and believes that it is important that this issue continue to receive international attention. In the United States, the Obama Administration has prioritized strengthening the government-to-government relationship with federally-recognized tribes and working together to address issues facing Native Americans.

It was in this context that President Obama last year announced that the United States was lending its support to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as explained more fully in the Announcement document that accompanied the President’s statement. We look forward to continuing to work with the international community towards making the aspirations in the Declaration a reality for indigenous peoples around the world.

Thank you.

###