MIAMI, OK — Chief Benjamin Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe is commending recent federal efforts to advance the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Adopted in 2007, UNDRIP outlines the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide, and the United States joined 192 other United Nations member states in 2014 in committing to uphold its principles.

“For more than 15 years, Second Chief Baldridge and I have worked to strengthen US support for the UNDRIP,” said Chief Barnes, “Recent advancements demonstrate the importance of collaboration between tribal nations and federal partners to honor Indigenous rights and uphold commitments to UNDRIP.”

Since 2008, the Shawnee Tribe leaders have worked with other tribal leaders, federal partners, and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to develop pathways for implementing UNDRIP in a way that benefits the Shawnee Tribe and other tribal nations, including Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian peoples.

The Department of the Interior recently outlined ten significant steps taken to support UNDRIP, including:

• The establishment of a Secretary Tribal Advisory Committee.
• The release of the Federal Indian Boarding School Investigative Report Volumes I and Volume II.
• The creation of the 10-Year National Plan on Native Language Revitalization.

“These accomplishments reinforce the importance of honoring UNDRIP’s foundational principle of free, prior, and informed consent,” said Chief Barnes. “Upholding these rights benefits not only the Shawnee Tribe and Indian Country but also strengthens the broader fabric of our nation and supports Indigenous peoples worldwide. I look forward to continuing this important work with federal agencies and Congress to ensure ongoing progress.”

The Shawnee Tribe remains committed to working with federal agencies, tribal nations, and other partners to advance the principles of UNDRIP and ensure that Indigenous rights and sovereignty are respected and protected.

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