SECTION ONE
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on September 13, 2007; 144 nations in favour, 4 states against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States; shame on them!), with 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa, and Ukraine). Later, the 4 nations that voted against this declaration reversed their stance and now support the declaration. Keep in mind that ‘reversing’ an ‘against’ stance into an in ‘favour’ of stance does not necessarily mean that it will be implemented. Reversing an ‘against’ stance is good public relations. It must be supported by action.
"We will be changing our position here at the UN and remove our status as permanent objector to become a full supporter," Dr. Bennett told reporters on May 9, {2016}. The declaration, she said, tells governments, corporations and all Canadians that "one must begin by meaningful engagement with indigenous people, and be able to understand the rights that they hold, as they begin any thoughts of a project or policies that affect indigenous people." (By Gloria Galloway, May 9, 2016; theglobeandmail.com: Canada Drops Opposition to UN Indigenous Rights Declaration).
UNDRIP is the most all-inclusive, complete, international tool on the rights of indigenous peoples. It sets up and helps initiate a comprehensive framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on current human rights standards and basic-essential freedoms as they apply to the particular situation of indigenous peoples. As you read this book, keep in mind the long road ahead regarding the establishment of human rights for all, irrespective of gender, race, mother tongue, ethnicity, culture, religious affiliation, nationality, and socio-economic status.
The Akuntsu (Akunt’su or Akunsu) are a very tiny Amazonian tribe of only 4 persons, living in Rondonia State, Brazil. Ururu, the eldest tribal member, died in October 2009; the youngest member’s death, which occurred recently, was caused by a fallen tree during a storm. Their land is within the Rio Omere’ Indigenous Territory, an area also inhabited by the Kanoe. Barring a miraculous event, the Akuntsu will likely cease to exist in the not so distant future. In that case, humanity will have lost another important people.
Akuntsu live in the rainforest, land that is legally recognized and demarcated by the Brazilian Government. However, they are surrounded by extensive cattle ranches and soya plantations. In the past, there were tribal peoples and vast rainforests in the area.
The surviving Akuntsu live in 2 malocas (communal houses) made from straw. They are avid hunters; the main prey are agoutis (a long-legged burrowing rodent related to the guinea pig), wild boar, and tapir (a large, nocturnal hoofed animal similar in shape to a pig). They supplement their diet with manioc, corn, fish, and forest fruits. They practice shaman rituals. Flutes made from wood are used in dances and ritual activities. Armbands, anklet bracelets, and necklaces are worn; body paint is used in ceremonies.
The Akuntsu have suffered from atrocities perpetrated by outsiders. Konibu, an elder male, remembers a massacre that occurred in 1985. An entire maloca was bulldozed and every single person who tried to flee was gunned down. In the same year, FUNAI (Indian Affairs Department, Brazil) found evidence of the massacre. The victims were burned and covered with dirt by ranchers to conceal the crime. This is not surprising.
Worse yet, the construction of a prominent highway (BR364) brought in droves of cattle ranchers, loggers, land speculators, and settlers. Akuntsu are extraordinarily susceptible to the diseases brought in by these groups; the introduction of alcohol has also had a devastating effect. Linguists in the area are desperately trying to preserve the Akuntsu language.
“With Ururú’s [one of the tribespeople’s] death we are seeing the final stages of 21st century genocide. Although their numbers are small, the result is just as final. Only when this persecution is seen as akin to slavery or apartheid will tribal peoples begin to be safe,” said Stephen Corry, Director of Survival International. (By Contributing Writer, May 18, 2018; scribol.com: Akuntsu: The Tribe With Only 5 Individuals Left on Earth). {NOTE: The Most Recent Count is Four Individuals}.
The Andamanese consist of the various tribes of the Andaman Islands, within India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory in southeastern Bay of Bengal. These tribes are part of the Negrito tribal family; they are dark-skinned and are commonly small-framed. Previously, it was believed that these tribes were part of the earliest Great Coastal Migration out of Africa, via the Arabian Peninsula, through the coastal regions of the Indian mainland and in the direction of Southeast Asia, China, Australia, Melanesia, Polynesia, Micronesia, Fiji, (excluding New Zealand).
“... the Andaman archipelago was likely settled by modern humans from northeast India via the land-bridge which connected the Andaman archipelago and Myanmar around the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), a scenario in we