Indigenous Peoples must haves at the Río+20 Conference

Honour our Peoples, Honour our Mother
Indigenous Peoples around the world have a special connection to their lands and resources arising from long standing relationship to their territories. Within this room, we all have a moral and legal obligation to ensure future generations have an abundance of resources needed for their long-term survival and wellbeing. We must respect the rights of mother earth, and protect the web of life which supports us all.
We must bring forth necessary political changes and cultural understanding to address global systemic change. The indigenous peoples propose an alternative paradigm, which is Buen Bivir , meaning full exercise of all human rights, respecting diversity of all ways of life, as well as living in harmony with nature.
Indigenous Peoples seek the inclusion of a cultural pillar in sustainable development. Drawing strength from our spiritual and cultural values, determined to overcome the extreme disparities of power and wealth, to prevent further losses to biological and cultural diversity.

Deepen Democracy and Fulfill Human Rights
Sustainable development is an endeavour of governments and all peoples, calling for bold steps to deepen democracy in all areas of governance, and fulfilment of all human rights.. The implementation of indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination is a necessary safeguard and outcome of equitable and sustainable development.
The institutional framework for sustainable development requires the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in decision-making at all levels. Governments are accountable and must fulfil their treaties, agreements and covenants with indigenous peoples.
The full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including respect for our free, prior, informed consent is required in all policies, programmes and projects affecting our lands, territories and resources and our welfare.

Regulate Extractive Industries and Deliver Corporate Accountabilty
It is the duty of governments to work with indigenous peoples to develop laws and regulations that incorporate free, prior and informed consent to regulate extractive industries. Mechanisms are required to recognize the right of indigenous peoples to exercise jurisdiction and authority over resource extraction within their territories. Joint regulation is a viable alternative . In pursuit of economic growth, governments and corporations are in violent conflicts with indigenous peoples , whose territories and scared sites are being contaminated and destroyed.
Legally- binding sanctions are needed to make corporations accountable for environmental, social, and economic harm. Diverse local economies need to be promoted and protected from predatory investments which drive social conflicts.