Readings & Resources
Annotated Bibliography (Regional)
Selections from Indigenous Children: Rights and Reality - A Report on Indigenous Children and the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child
Global • Asia • Africa • Pacific • North America & Europe • Latin America
Global
UNICEF. Ensuring the Rights of Indigenous Children. Innocenti Digest No.11. Florence: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, 2003.
This report examines Indigenous children’s rights with reference to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The report uses a legal framework, focusing on the Convention, UN initiatives, and the debate on individual and collective rights. Key areas where Indigenous children’s rights are often violated are discussed with examples. Recommendations are advanced with a focus on health and nutrition; quality education; effective, culturally sensitive protection and support; and the participation of children in decisions that affect them. Quotes from children are used throughout.
Available online: www.unicef-icdc.org
Alderete, Ethel (Wara). The Health of Indigenous Peoples. WHO/SDE/HSD/99.1. Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO), 1999.
Cohen, Alex. The Mental Health of Indigenous Peoples: An International Overview. WHO/MNH/NAM/99.1. Geneva: Department of Mental Health, World Health Organization (WHO), 1999.
These two reports present a compilation and analysis by the WHO of international research on Indigenous peoples' health and mental health from a variety of sources. The Health report provides legal and historical background; examines socioeconomic, demographic and health indicators, globally and regionally; explores issues relating to differing cultural health systems; and describes current WHO and other initiatives. The Mental Health report looks into the definition of "indigenous"; examines systemic issues negatively affecting Indigenous peoples’ mental health; explores issues of cultural difference; and catalogues known indicators and risk factors globally and regionally. Both reports highlight the need for more, and better, collection of data.
Available online: http://dosei.who.ints
Larsen, Peter Bille. Indigenous and Tribal Children: Assessing Child Labour and Education Challenges. Joint working paper from the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) and the INDISCO Programme. Geneva: International Labour Organization (ILO), June 2003.
This report from the ILO summarizes current research on Indigenous children’s involvement in child labour and makes recommendations. It argues that Indigenous children are at special risk of being affected by child labour, particularly the most hazardous practices. Larsen also discusses unique problems in the links between child labour and education for Indigenous peoples, the causes of Indigenous child labour, and opportunities for support and intervention.
Available online: www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/ipec/publ/download/edu_indigenous_2003_en.pdf
Pinto, Anna. "Inherit the Earth: Indigenous Children’s Rights to Ancestral Lands: Trans-Generational, Comprehensive, Trans-National, Collective," International Indigenous Child Rights. Philip Cook, Cynthia Price Cohen, Eds. In press, 2005.
This paper discusses Indigenous concepts of land and their relevance to Indigenous children’s rights as per the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The concept of multi-generational trusteeship forms the backdrop to a holistic approach that emphasizes interconnectedness between land rights and other rights. Particular attention is paid to health and well being, education, culture and stewardship.
Declaration of the Second International Indigenous Youth Conference Vancouver – August 2005. Indigenous Affairs iss.3-4 (2005) Indigenous Youth.
The text of this declaration, issued by youth participants at the Second International Indigenous Youth Conference in 2005, is reproduced in this issue of Indigenous Affairs.
Stavenhagen, Rodolfo. Indigenous Issues: Human Rights and Indigenous Issues: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Rodolfo Stavenhagen. E/CN.4/2005/88. January 6 2005. Geneva: UN Economic and Social Council, 2005.
The author is the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous people. This report focuses on education, and discusses major systemic challenges in that area. Recommendations are included. Other reports by Mr. Stavenhagen may also include relevant information on Indigenous children and youth; all are available online through the website below.
Available online: www.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/rapporteur/
Joining Hands Across the World: An International Indigenous Knowledge Symposium - Summary Document. Ottawa: FNCFCS, 2006.
This document compiles presentations made at a symposium on Indigenous children’s rights held in Toronto, Canada in October 2005. Presenters included: Jaap Doek (the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child), Roy Laifungbam (Health), Muriel Bamblett (Well Being of Aboriginal Children in Australia), Leslie Du Toit (Partnership and Community in South Africa), Yolanda Terán (Learning and Culture), Terry Cross (Research and Data), Kenn Richard and Karen Hill (Urban Child Welfare), and Cindy Blackstock (Canadian Child Welfare Policy).
Available online: www.fncaringsociety.com/pubs/fncfcsPubs.html
Anaya, S. James. Indigenous Peoples in International Law. 2nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
This book gives a comprehensive legal and historical review of theoretical and practical issues on Indigenous peoples’ rights in international law. The author is a law professor at the University of Arizona, and a well-known expert in the field of Indigenous peoples’ rights and international law.