· 1992 - The seed for the creation of Tribal Link was planted in the course of proparations for the June 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (also know as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development). Tribal Link played a major role in documenting and publicizing the First World Conference of Indigenous Peoples at Kari Oka, held just before the Earth Summit, which helped focus attention on the importance of indigenous people, their knowledge and culture, and the extent of threats to their survival.
· In October 1993, in honor of the International Year of the World's Indigenous People and United Nations Day, Tribal Link, in collaboration with the UN Information Center and the US Congressional Caucus on Human Rights coordinated an exhibit of William Coupon's (who shot over 100 portraits of indigenous leaders at the Kari-Oca. These portraits also appeared in Life magazine) photographs in the Russell Rotunda of the U.S. Senate. The exhibit was followed by a reception with Rigoberta Menchu Tum, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, as Guest of Honor, and included presentations by Congressman John Edward Porter and Tom Lantos, Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, and Senator Daniel Akaka from Hawaii. The event was attended by approximately 500 guests. Senator Akaka's participation led to his sponsoring a successful Bill on Indigenous People (H.R. 510) that passed in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
· 1996- Tribal Link has coordinated a number of other high-profile events and forums at the United Nations: a panel presentation on "Indigenous People, Shelter and Land" at the 1996 Habitat Conference in Istanbul; a presentation and discussion of the film "Amazon Journal" by Academy Award nominated filmmaker and journalist Geoffrey O'Connor at UN headquarters in New York; a photography exhibit at the Philippine consulate of Philippine tribal life by one of the tribe's members; and others.
· Tribal Link has also coordinated presentations by: Davi Yanomami (Yanomami), Brazil; Roberto Mucaro Borrero (Taino Arawak), Caribbean; Rafael Pandan & Manuel Saca, Ecuador; and others. We have arranged interviews of indigenous spokespeople on national radio on such issues as land rights, mining of indigenous lands, and intellectual property rights. We also initiated articles in Newsday, The Progressive, and the Associated Press wire service (AP stories are distributed to newspapers worldwide.) Tribal Link has made possible articles in Scholastic News, read by 1.5 million children internationally, on the threats to three indigenous groups: the Yanomani, the Juma and the Navajo.
· Tribal Link plays a key role in the annual commemoration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, held each August at the United Nations Headquarters. The annual event is sponsored by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, NGO Committee on the International Decade of the World's, the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), Indigenous People's and UN agencies and departments. In previous years we have helped organize two-day events that included a dialogue session on Indigenous Children and Youth and a “preparatory consultation” for the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance that was held in South Africa in September 2001 and a "preparatory consultation" on the Permanent Forum of Indigenous People. In the year 2001 Tribal Link and other members of the Decade Committee formed a "Fun Committee" as part of our hospitality program to escort Indigenous Guests around NYC. One very memorable excursion was a Staten Island Ferry boat ride after the closing of Indigenous Day.
· In 1998, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief was sent to investigate human rights violations against the Dineh (Navajo) people in Big Mountain, Arizona (probably the first mission of its kind with the U.S.) I was part of the delegation invited by the Dineh to witness their testimony. Pamela Kraft, Executive Director of Tribal Link also served as their media coordinator and was instrumental in the production of a documentary. A few months later, Tribal Link hosted a reception for a delegation of Dineh, including the Elders and medicine people, in New York City, and assisted them in their search for legal help. We also facilitated an article on the Dineh struggle in Scholastic magazine which reached millions of schoolchildren.
· Coordinating the production of an hour-long documentary of the Kari Oka conference.
· February 4-6, 1999 - Andy Wanning, Research Assistant at Tribal Link, participated in a conference of indigenous peoples in Zamora, Ecuador. It was sponsored by the San Francisco Foundation, a biology research station whose mission to "provide information for a sustainable development of the region, and to preserve the biological and cultural diversity of the region."
· In 1999, Bobby McLeod, an Australian aboriginal and a Rio participant, sought help from Tribal Link. He needed assistance in the development of a traditional cultural performance/educational program to use in the healing of young alcohol and drug addicts by recovering their tribal identity. These calls from traditional peoples typify the level of trust which Tribal Link enjoys among its indigenous partners.
· Radio Interview Indigenous Women's International Forum Press briefing. Set up press briefing for them at UN Correspondence Club. A Historical Event: Indigenous Women's International Forum at the U.N. Beijing + 5 Review Conference. (The Indigenous Women's International Forum brought together one hundred Indigenous women from twenty-five countries across the globe to assess developments five years after Beijing. This historical event because we as Indigenous women were able to unite international issues and bring them to the UN.
· Indigenous Peoples: A Vision for a New Century a conversation with Elsa Stamatopoulou, Deputy to the Director, New York Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. January 19, 2000. This was a first in a series of presentations on indigenous issues sponsored by Tribal Link Foundation. This series focused on the interface between indigenous peoples and the UN.
· May 2000. The second part of series of presentations, Tribal Link, in collaboration with Ms. Janet Cutting (Cudding?) hosted a presentation by members of the Yoemem Tekia Foundation on their proposal to contruct a Living Museum and cultural center which will be built in Tuscon, Arizona.
· August 28, 2000 in the Dag Hammarksjold Auditorium. During the DPI/NGO Conference, the Temple of Understanding and Tribal Link Foundation hosted a panel called: Recognizing the Indigenous Traditions and Perspectives as a Way to Global Peace. Chaired by Barbara Pyle, CNN's Environment Editor and Executive Producer of People Count, the panel included representatives from the Lakota, Keetoowah, Onondaga Nations. With Arvol Looking Horse, the 19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe, Ray Evans Harrell, Medicine Priest for the Keetoowah Society, Tonya Frichner, Founder and President of American Indian Law Alliance, Sammy Toineeta, National Council of Churches.
· Among the events surrounding the Millennium Peace Summit in New York City August 28 - 31, 2000, was a dinner hosted by Tribal Link Foundations Hospitality project for the indigenous delegates to the conference. Approximately 70 delegates attended the dinner, which was held at Tribal Link's office/loft. This setting provided a unique opportunity for all involved to be together in a relaxed communal setting more in keeping with their traditional gatherings.
· The third presentation was on August 30, 2000 Midday NGO Workshop during the 53rd Annual DPI/NGO Conference - Global Solidarity: The Way to Peace and International Cooperation. Recognizing the Indigenous Tradition and Perspective as a Way to Global Peace and Cooperation. Sponsored by the Temple of Understanding and Tribal Link Foundation - "We want to honor the contribution of indigenous traditions and perspectives to global solidarity. Indigenous peoples offer an ancient path to achieve peace and cooperation. Their way opens up the deepest underpinning for our efforts towards a peaceful world; we need the guidance of these ancient traditions and perspectives to travel the road towards peace and cooperation. Speakers: Sam Beeler, Keetoowah Society; Tonya Gonnella Frichner, President and Founder, American Indian Law Alliance, Onondaga Nation; Ray Evans Harrell, Medicine Priest, Keetoowah Society; Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe; Sammy Toineeta, National Council of Churches Racial Justice Office, Lakota woman.
· Presentation by Jose Adalberto Silva, Macuxi leader form The Indigenous Council of Roraima, Brazil. The Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) is the most important representative Indigenous organization in the state, and is well respected throughout Brazil and internationally. CIR has been responsible for many of the victories seen by Indigenous communities in the area. Hosted by Rainforest Foundation & Tribal Link Foundation, 7:30pm, Monday, October 23, 2000 at Tribal Link's loft.
· December 11 - 14, 2000 - Indigenous Media Workshop attended by Tribal Link Executive Director, Pamela Kraft and UN Representative, Diane Williams. Sponsored by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in cooperation with the UN Department of Public Information. This workshop focused on the relationship between indigenous media and the mainstream media. It covered the written press, radio, television and the new media. Tribal Link held a reception for the delegates after the training.
· Briefing with Mr. Geoffrey Yu, Acting Director General, Office of Global Communications and Public Diplomacy, the World Intellectual Property Organization. He gave an overview of WIPO's activities in the field of traditional knowledge, i.e. folklore, traditional medicine and biodiversity, at 11:30am on March 9 2001 at the WIPO Coordination Office, 2 United Nations Plaza, Suite 2525.
· Briefing by Never Tuesta and Lucy Trapnell, Directors of Programa de Formation de Masestros Bilingues de la Amazonia Peruana (The Program for the Training of Bilingual Teachers in the Peruvian Amazon) Wednesday, May 2, 2001 at 3pm, Conference Room D, United Nations. Hosted by Tribal Link Foundation in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.
Indigenous leaders have recognized that unless urgent action is taken to educate their children about the traditions and language of their societies, the extinction of their cultures is inevitable. PFMB is a teacher training program for indigenous students and teachers who are trained in general pedagogy as well as to teach their own languages and cultures. The school was created to recognize the educational and intercultural diversity among indigenous communities in Peru and to promote the idea that recognizing this diversity and maintaining its integrity is a key element to the preservation and sustainability of these communities.
· Pamela attended the International Conference on Biodiversity and Society organized by UNESCO and Columbia University from May 22-25, 2001. The conference aimed to adopt a common vision for an integrated approach to human security and biodiversity conservation, articulate a place based research agenda and develop strategies for stewardship and conservation. The insights gained will help set the tone for such vital political discussions as those planned for Rio+10 and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The conference brought together leading environmental and social scientists, managers of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, high-level policymakers from developed and developing countries, journalists, as well as private corporations, NGOs, United Nations agencies, Foundations and international lending institutions.
· Racism Panel Discussion: Indigenous Peoples - In our Image? Saturday, May 26, 2001 From media exploitation and religious intolerance, to the use of Native Peoples as sports mascots and corporate logos, indigenous peoples have had little or on consultation, compensation or legal redress against the misappropriation of their images. Moderated by Elsa Stamatopoulou, Deputy Director, NY Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, distinguished experts discussed the issue and dialogued with audiences. Panelists include: Gary Browe (Ponca), Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility, Charlene Teters (Spokane), National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media, and Sammy Tonieeta (Lakota), National Council of Churches, Racial and Indigenous Justice Division.
· The Genomic Revolution Conference, June 9, 2001 - The American Museum of Natural History's Department of Education presented the "Genomic Research and its Impact on Indigenous Peoples" in the Kaufmann Theater. This workshop explored the wide-ranging concerns and perspectives of indigenous peoples, with regard to current controversial scientific initiatives, particularly human genome research and agricultural biotechnologies. Citing examples from their own communities as well as international trends, panelists addressed the historical, legal and ethical implications of this type of research on indigenous communities. Panelists included George J. Annas, Chair, Health Law Department, School of Public Health, Boston University; Orobola Fasehun, Chief Coordinating Officer, World Intellectual Property Organization; Debora Harry (Paiute), Executive Director, Council on BioColonialism, and Dr. Mere Roberts (Maori) School of Environmental & Marine Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand. This program is presented in collaboration with Tribal Link Foundation, Inc.
· June 19, 2001 World Bank Videoconference among Indigenous Leaders to discuss the World Conference on Racism, put together by the Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation. The Global Gateway, a Web portal for indigenous peoples.
· July 17, 2001 - Press Briefing - World Conference Against Racism, Many Issues-Many Voices: An NGO Perspective. Throughout the difficult and confusing preparatory process for the World Conference against Racism that took place in Durban, South Africa, NGOs around the world have worked to give voice to the victims of discrimination and to bring their suffering to the attention of government representatives. The following representatives briefed the press on the NGO perspective. Clarence Dias, of the International Center for Law in Development, discussed economic racism and globalization and provided an overview of the NGO perspective on the conference. Barry Joseph, of Global Kids presented ongoing activities concerning youth and racism. Sammy Toineeta of the National Council of Churches was invited but could not attend.
· August 15, 2001, Lecture and Slide Show by Rhodia Mann author of the book Talk to the Stars- The Samburu People of Northern Kenya. Rhodia Mann, a resident of Nairobi, Kenya, has spent thirty years studying the Samburu people of Northern Kenya in an attempt to discover their true origins. They believe they came to Earth from Venus, though their actual earthly origins are buried in myth and debates. During this time she established friendships with many families and visited healers, diviners and spiritual leaders. She was taken to their sacred sites and witnessed many ancient rites and ceremonies. Her book deals in detail with the rituals of Samburu life, focusing especially on mythology and star lore. While uncovering the Samburu's spiritual beliefs, Rhodia embarked on a life-long spiritual journey of her own. Sponsored by Tribal Link, hosted by Thomas Rochon.
· August 20, 2001 A Panel on Reparations at the UN Church Center. Participants included Enuga S. Reddy- Former Director of UN Office Against Apartheid, Lillian Kimura- Former President Japanes Americans Citizens League, Ibrahim Abdil Mu'ir Ramey, Disarmament Office, Fellowship of Reconciliation.
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