Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHEROKEE NATION TO ENCOURAGE THE UNITED NATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES (UNDRIP)
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WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government in behalf of the Cherokee people;
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America;
WHEREAS, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a significant development in international human rights law that recognizes the permanent right of indigenous peoples to exist as peoples, nations, cultures, and societies;
WHEREAS, the UNDRIP was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, and has been endorsed by all countries;
WHEREAS, Native nations are already using the UNDRIP as another way to protect their lands and resources, as it forms a framework for how federal laws, regulations, policies, and practices should affect the workings of Native governments;
WHEREAS, the UNDRIP recognizes the right of self-determination for indigenous peoples;
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation, among many other tribal governments, exercises the right of self-determination in our day to day self-governance; and,
WHEREAS, indigenous peoples are entitled to a regular and permanent status in the United Nations that allows full and effective participation in all relevant UN activities;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that the Tribal Council hereby authorizes the Cherokee Nation to encourage the United Nations to establish a mechanism to monitor and encourage nations to implement the UNDRIP; to promote measures to address violence against our Native women and children; and to create a new status for indigenous governments that adequately recognizes our status as unique nations, societies, and cultures.