United Nations Engagement
The Sweetwater Cultural Center seeks to amplify and expand on work at the United Nations already being undertaken by the Ramapo Mountain Indians and other Indigenous Peoples in the New York-Tri-State area and beyond. Ramapo leadership have participated in and continued to engage the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, activities around the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, and interfaith dialogues linked to UN initiatives. The Ramapo are members of the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Sweetwater Cultural Center seeks to support and or assist facilitate the call by the Ramapo and other Indigenous Peoples for the establishment of an Indigenous embassy to the United Nations in the New York area.
Upcoming UN related-events, initiatives, and resources
The events shared here are for your information and not necessarily endorsed by the Sweet Water Cultural Center.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted September 13, 2007, click here
Upcoming Events
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2021
Theme: “Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16”. Date: 19-30 April 2021. In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, and taking into account the latest guidance from the United Nations Secretary-General and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Forum Session will take place in a hybrid format with mostly virtual (online) meetings. In-person meetings at UN Headquarters in New York will only take place at the opening and closing meetings, with limited in-person participation of Forum members and Member States. All other attendees will participate via an online platform. Participation of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations and civil society will not be possible in-person and will take place only online. For more information see the UNPFII webpage.
Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations: Project Access Online
Are you an Indigenous representative looking to engage with the United Nations? Do you work with Indigenous Peoples and want to support them in their advocacy efforts? The United Nations Development Programme and Tribal Link Foundation are pleased to offer a FREE self-paced, introductory course on Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations. This course consists of three modules and draws on Tribal Links’ flagship training program, Project Access Capacity Building Training Workshop for Indigenous Peoples. The course brings together leading Indigenous experts who will share their expertise on relevant multi-stakeholder forums. Register here.