Thursday, September 16, 2004, 14:44

UN Decade of Indigenous People Ending to Mixed Reviews

National Geographic News

2004 is the last year of the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The program's accomplishments may be best described as mixed. While indigenous issues are receiving more political attention worldwide, observers say that most indigenous people remain mired in poverty. Hunter-gatherer groups, in particular, are facing persecution and attacks on their way of life.

John Scott, the UN Permanent Forum officer, says it would be a step forward if governments stopped treating indigenous people as being separate from the rest of the population and instead as being part of their countries. >> continue

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