DeCl ARAtiOn

FIRST PeoPLeS AND INDIGeNoUS PeoPLeS WoRKING DeCLARATIoN

oCToBeR 2018

intRODUC tiOn:

To God our creator and our Ancestral Spirits we give thanks and praise for the many gifts and blessings of nature and wisdom to all humankind.

1.1 We, the First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples representatives from Alaska (Atmautluak, Bill moore’s Slough, Chevak, elim, eyak, golovin, hamilton, Kotlik, Kwigillingok, Kivalina, Mary’s Igloo, Nelson Lagoon, Newtok, Nunapitchuk, port heiden, Shishmaref, teller, Unalakleet), louisiana (Atakapa-ishak, isle de Jean, pointe-Au-Chien), Washington (Quinault indian nation), Bangladesh, and the pacific (fiji, Kiribati, palau, papua new guinea, republic of the marshall islands, Samoa, Solomon islands, tuvalu), hereby referred to as “participants of the first peoples’ Convening on Climate-forced displacement,” gathered here in girdwood, Alaska, from October 1-4, 2018, to express our deep respect and appreciation to the People in whose lands we gathered.

1.2 We express our solidarity and the truth we are confronting as first peoples and Indigenous Peoples living in the areas most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis, including being forcefully displaced from our Land. We maintain the unbreakable human and sacred spiritual connection with our land, air, water, forests, sea ice, plants, animals, and our communities handed down to us from our ancestors.

1.3 We are deeply alarmed by the accelerating climatic devastation brought about by unsustainable development and natural events. We are experiencing profound and disproportionate adverse impacts on our cultures, lands, human and environmental health, human rights, spirituality, well-being, traditional systems and livelihoods, food systems and food security, local infrastructure, economic viability, and our very survival as First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples of the world.

1.4 We are communities accountable to one another and future generations to uphold and maintain our sovereign and inherent rights as Indigenous peoples of the world and to carry out our responsibility as stewards of this ancestral knowledge that has allowed us to survive in harmony with Mother Earth from time immemorial.

1.5 We are a spiritual people empowered by values and beliefs that are urgently needed today to elevate humanity to an inclusive and peaceful truth that is based on an Indigenous knowledge system of the land, sea, and sky and on observations gained from the Western knowledge system.

we AFFiRm:

2.1 Our islands, delta, and arctic ecosystems are suffering the most extreme impacts of the climate crisis. Our homelands, cultures, and spiritual and traditional livelihoods are threatened by rising temperatures, permafrost loss, sea-level rise, flooding, erosion, landslides, ocean acidification, storms, and other disasters.

2.2 We express the trUth that mother earth is no longer in a period of climate change, but climate crisis. We, therefore, insist on an immediate end to the destruction and desecration of the elements of life.

2.3 Our issues and concerns are similar, and there is added value in our collectiveness.

2.4 We condemn the role of the fossil fuel industry in causing the climate crisis and call for the phase out of fossil fuel use, without infringing on the right to development of Indigenous nations.

2.5 We reaffirm the commitment to progress the implementation of the intent of the Paris Agreement and other UN and global treaties.

CAll tO AC tiOn:

3.1 We call upon our global leaders, especially the Conference of the parties (COp) to the United nations framework Convention on Climate Change (UnfCCC) and its decision-making bodies to: a. recognize climate-displaced peoples and their rights and needs as a matter of urgent concern and to take proactive measures to ensure that adequate technical and financial support is afforded to them. b. Appoint First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples representatives and focal points in the UnfCCC. c. Take the necessary measures to ensure our full participation as First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples in formulating, implementing, and monitoring mitigation and adaptation activities relating to the impacts of the climate crisis. d. Streamline and improve the often long and burdensome process of accessing the technical and financial resources urgently needed by communities of First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples in adapting to the impacts of the climate crisis.

3.2 We call upon State Governments to: a. Respect, uphold, and protect our rights as Indigneous Peoples as well as the rights we hold as individual members of society, including, but not limited to, the rights of women; rights of the child; rights of persons living with disabilities; economic, social and cultural rights; and civil and political rights. b. Uphold their responsibility to protect the rights of climate-displaced peoples within their jurisdictions. c. develop and formulate rights-centered laws, policies, and strategies that address the spectrum of risks associated with climate displacement, including our right to remain and build protections in place. d. Actively engage our communities in decision-making processes, particularly as they relate to adaptation and relocation.

3.3 We call upon our friends, supporters, and partners in our states, regions, and around the world to: a. Continue supporting our efforts to advocate for our rights as first peoples and indigenous peoples who are the first and most severely affected by the impacts of the climate crisis. b. Support our goal of empowering our communities, especially our youth, in understanding their rights and the impacts of the climate crisis. c. Support our community leaders to create spaces and innovative ways that allow for the transfer of knowledge, both traditional and modern, to our children. d. Support our desire to establish a network among our communities of First peoples and indigenous peoples affected by the climate crisis to share, learn, and help one another to increase our chances of successful implementation of adaptation strategies that are based on proven shared lessons.

3.4 We call upon our leaders to: a. Support initiatives to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the communities of their human rights, the climate crisis, and strategies to adapt to these impacts. b. Commit to supporting the creation of spaces and the implementation of initiatives that protect, revive, and transfer the rapidly eroding traditional knowledge and ways of life of First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples to younger generations, which is imperative for building community resilience to the impacts of the climate crisis. c. Commit to further building the resilience of our frontline communities who are at risk from climate-forced displacement. d. Commit to improving communications among all rights holders and supporting a community participatory process that increases community awareness and input on adaptation strategies.

3.5 We invite our youth to: a. Continue to be proactively engaged in adaptation strategies, planning, and implementation. b. Work closely with their Elders to learn and practice their traditional ways of living that are important for their identity as First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples.

3.6 We, the Participants of the First Peoples’ Convening on Climate Forced displacement: a. Commit to remain connected as First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples that are affected by the climate crisis with the goal of accelerating our progress toward realizing our adaptation strategies. b. Agree to form the necessary working groups that will help to connect our communities through information sharing, learning exchanges, and uniting voices. c. express sincere appreciation to our friends and supporters for their commitment, vision, and support in making this convening a reality.

Agreed by First Peoples and Indigenous Peoples of the First Peoples’ Convening on Climate-Forced Displacement, october 1-4, 2018, Girdwood, Alaska.

1 Un Climate Change, Anchorage Declaration, Indigenous Peoples’ Global Summit on Climate Change, April 24, 2009, https:// unfccc.int/resource/docs/2009/smsn/ngo/168.pdf

2 internal displacement monitoring Centre and norwegian Refugee Council, Global Report on Internal Displacement: GRID 2018 (geneva: idmC, may 2018), 6-9, www.internaldisplacement.org/global-report/grid2018/

3 idmC, Global Report on Internal Displacement 2017, 10, www. internal-displacement.org/global-report/grid2017/

4 Patricia Cochran, Keynote Address at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

5 Jeff tollefson, “major report prompts Warning that the Arctic is Unraveling,” Scientific American, April 28, 2017, www. scientificamerican.com/article/major-report-prompts-warningsthat-the-arctic-is-unraveling1/

6 Curt d. Storlazzi et al., “most Atolls will be Uninhabitable by the mid-21st Century because of Sea-level rise exacerbating Wave-driven flooding,” Science Advances, 4.4, April 25, 2018, http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/4/eaap9741

7 Ruth Kaviok, opening Plenary Statement, International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change, COP 24, december 2, 2018.

8 Notes of First Peoples’ Convening, October 3, 2018.

9 Kathryn Norton-Smith et al., Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples: A Synthesis of Current Impacts and experiences (US department of Agriculture, October 2016), 2.

10 Un Office of the high Commissioner for human rights, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, november 1, 2017, 10, https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/ UndOC/gen/g17/330/97/pdf/g1733097.pdf?Openelement

11 interview with John pingayaq, October 3, 2018.

12 Chevak community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

13 Elim community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

14 Atmoutloak community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

15 Chevak presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

16 Unaklaleet community presentation at first peoples Convening, October 2, 2018.

17 Port Heiden community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

18 Atmoutloak community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

19 Eyak community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

20 Kotlik community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

21 Adelaine Ahmasuk presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

22 Elim community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

23 eunice Brown, Unalakleet community presentation at first Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

24 Nelson Lagoon community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

25 Nunapitchuk community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

26 Atmautloak community presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

27 displacement Solutions, Climate Displacement in bangladesh: The Need for Urgent Land, housing, and Property Rights Solutions (geneva: dS, may 2012), 1; http://ypsa.org/ypsa/wp-content/ uploads/2012/11/dS-Climate-displacement-in-BangladeshReport-May-2012.pdf

28 environmental Justice foundation, Climate Displacement in bangladesh (Jan 14, 2019), https://ejfoundation.org/reports/ climate-displacement-in-bangladesh

29 mohammad Shahjahan, Climate Displacement in bangladesh: Need Rights-based Solutions to Resolve the Problems, presented at first peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018; http:// displacementsolutions.org/bangladesh-government-issuesfirst-report-on-climate-displacement/.

30 Shahjahan presentation at first peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

31 Louisiana presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

32 Tuvalu presentation, First Peoples’ Conveing, October 2, 2018.

33 elizabeth ferris, michael m. Cernea, and daniel petz, on the Front Line of Climate Change and Displacement: Learning from and with Pacific Island Countries (Washington, dC: Brookings institution, September 2011), 1, www.brookings.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2016/06/09_idp_climate_change.pdf

34 makereta Waqavonovono presentation at first peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

35 Ibid.

36 Solomon Islands presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

37 Palau presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

38 Interview with Mark Stege, October 3, 2018.

39 interview with david taniveke Boseto, October 3, 2018.

40 Solomon Islands presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

41 Jessica A. Knobloch, “Climate Change Forces Quinault Tribe to Seek higher ground,” earthjustice, mar. 12, 2018, https:// earthjustice.org/blog/2018-march/climate-change-forces-thequinault-tribe-to-seek-higher-ground

42 I.M. Miller et al., Projected Sea Level Rise for Washington state: A 2018 Assessment, Washington Coastal Resilience Project, www. wacoastalnetwork.com/files/theme/wcrp/Slr-report-miller-etal-2018.pdf

43 US environmental protection Agency, Quinault Indian Nation Plans for Relocation, www.epa.gov/arc-x/quinault-indian-nationplans-relocation.

44 Video presented by Tukuraki Village, First Peoples Convening, October 2, 2018

45 Chevak presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

46 Golovin presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

47 Kwigillingok presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

48 Nunapitchuk presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

49 Kwigillingok community presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

50 Interview with Adelaine Ahmasuk, October 3, 2018.

51 Pamela Smith, Eyak presentation at First Peoples Convening, October 2, 2018.

52 Elim community presentation, First Peoples Convening, October 2, 2018.

53 Nelson Lagoon community presentation, First Peoples Convening, October 2, 2018.

54 interview with makereta Waqavonovono, October, 3, 2018.

55 Interview with Tanya Eison, October 4, 2018.

56 Matini Vailopa, Tuvalu presentation at First Peoples Convening, October 2, 2018.

57 Kiribati presentation at First Peoples Convening, October 2, 2018.

58 Palau presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

59 Kwigillingok presentation, First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

60 Un Commission on human rights, Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, E/CN.4/1998/53/Add, Feb 11, 1998, www.un-documents.net/gpid.htm

61 United nations, Cancun Agreements, 2010, https://unfccc.int/ process/conferences/pastconferences/cancun-climate-changeconference-november-2010/statements-and-resources/ Agreements

62 Un Climate Change, Decision -/CP.24 [Advance Unedited Version], https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/cp24_auv_ SBStA7%20lCipp_rev.pdf

63 Michael Charles, Closing Plenary Statement, International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change at COP 24 (december 20, 2018), https://static1.squarespace.com/ static/5627862ce4b07be93cfb9461/t/5c24fcd34d7a9c7f726 ee351/1545927891558/Closing+plenary+Statement.pdf

64 for key texts on the lack of legal framework, see robin Bronen, “Climate Induced Community Relocations: Creating an Adaptive governance framework Based in human rights doctrine,” NYU Review of Law and Social Change vol. 35 (June 2011): 356-406; maxine Burkett, “A Justice paradox: On Climate Change, Small island developing States, and the Quest for effective legal Remedy,” University of hawaii Law Review vol 35.2 (2013), 633-670; mary robinson foundation, Protecting the Rights of Climate Displaced People: A Position Paper (dublin: mary robinson foundation, Just 2016).

65 the platform on disaster displacement is currently the major international venue for such rights-based planning, but it neither includes representatives of all impacted nations, nor does it adequately engage leaders from impacted communities. For a brief overview of international forums and how they address rights issues, see Alex randall, “fixing Climateinduced displacement: Are the Climate talks enough?,” Climate Migration december 14, 2016, http://climatemigration.org.uk/ fixing-climate-linked-displacement-climate-talks-enough/.

66 interview with tekamangu Bwauira, October 4, 2018.

67 Kathryn Norton-Smith et al., Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples: A Synthesis of Current Impacts and experiences (USdA, October 2016), 5, https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr944. pdf

68 Ibid., 7.

69 International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, A Funder’s Toolkit: Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (San francisco: ifip, 2014), http://internationalfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/ Undrip-toolkit-framework_2014.pdf

70 expert mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples, Ten Years of the Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Good Practices and Lessons Learned – 2007-2017 (geneva: United national human rights Council, August 7, 2017).

71 Notes of the Newtok working group at First Peoples’ Convening, October 3, 2018.

72 James d ford et al. “Including Indigenous Knowledge and experience in ipCC Assessment reports,” Perspective March 24, 2016, https://idl-bnc-idrc.dspacedirect. org/bitstream/handle/10625/56538/idl-56538. pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

73 Patricia Cochran et al., “Indigenous Frameworks for Observing and Responding to Climate Change in Alaska,” in Maldonado et al, Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples in the United States: Impacts, experiences, and Actions (Springer, 2014), 50.

74 Interview with Mark Stege at First Peoples’ Convening, October 3, 2018.

75 Patricia Cochran, Keynote Address at First People’s Convening, October 2, 2018.

76 Norton-Smyth et al., Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples, 16.

77 Notes from Traditional Knowledge Working Group at First Peoples’ Convening, October 3, 2018.

78 Climate and Traditional Knowledge Workgroup, “Guidelines for Considering Traditional Knowledge In Climate Change Initiatives,” September 2014.

79 displacement Solutions, The Rights of Climate-Displaced Persons: A Quick Guide (April 2015).

80 Shahjahan, Climate Displacement in bangladesh p. 7: Opening Ceremony images: top – pelenise Alofa speaking with makereta Waqovonovono; Alaska native snow boots. middle –Sevusevu ceremony by Simione deruru; fijian mat presented by pelenise Alofa; Wayne Andrew presenting gift from palau, makereta Waqavonovono presenting gift to dr. John pingayaq. Bottom – mark Stege offering gift from marshall islands to Aaron leggett, president of the native village of eklutna; John pingayaq speaking with Aaron leggett. p. 9: dr. John pingayaq offering opening prayer; denise pollock of AiJ; remainder – members of the Kimgikmiut dancers & Singers of Anchorage. p. 11: Alyeska resort; first peoples Convening banner; participant nametags p. 12: first peoples Convening working group; pacific working group p. 14: John henry; Adelaine Ahmasuk; paul nagaruk p. 15: top – pamela Smith, Kristina peterson, and danielle fuller-Wimbush; members of the declaration team. Bottom – relocation working group; working group. p. 16: top – dr. John pingayaq leading a working group; Kristina peterson and rosina philippe. middle – david Boseto, Simione deruru, and Kalivati rodaroro; working group. Bottom -- presentation by Special rapporteur Cecelia Jimenez-damary; denise pollock asking question of Special rapporteur Jimenez-damary. p. 20: Clockwise – first peoples Convening participants; identifying communities on the map; Stanley tom p. 24: Rosina Philippe p. 25: first peoples Convening delegations from the pacific p. 27: rine Uerara and pelenise Alofa; malaelupe Samifua; Jacinta

81 Fenton Lutunatabua, presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

82 Wayne Andrew, presentation at First Peoples’ Convening, October 2, 2018.

Helin Hanks p. 31: Clockwise – exposed coconut roots, Solomon islands; coastal erosion, papua new guinea; mangroves, Kiribati; land loss in Louisiana 1932-2011. p. 36: patricia Cochran, robin Bronen, and lewis Amik iii; Adelaine Ahmasuk and Syma mirza p. 37: della hendrickson, Chief Albert naquin; first peoples Convening participants greeting p. 44: Clockwise – John henry; Wayne Andrew; Chief Albert naquin; first peoples Convening healing circle; dr. John pingayaq teaching a traditional dance p. 48: First Peoples Convening participants