On May 21, 1971, the ECOSOC passed a resolution (number 1589) to study as part of its efforts for the “Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.” This was one of the first times the UN focused on these issues. This resolution pointed out problems with forced assimilation and efforts to ‘protect’ Indigenous peoples that kept them separate from the rest of society. Instead, the UN suggested that governments should develop better laws to integrate Indigenous people into its population, and provide economic support or development for Indigenous peoples. The resolution led to the first major Indigenous gatherings in the UN Headquarters in Geneva in 1977 and 1978, and also led to the creation of future UN groups like the Working Group on Indigenous Populations (1982) and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2000).
This film ‘Indigenous Summer in Geneva’ depicts the 1977 gathering in Geneva, where Indigenous peoples from around the world — including Brazil, Guatemala, Bolivia, and Hawaii — gathered to discuss their shared struggles. Speakers included Mário Juruna, Alvaro Tukano, Rigoberta Menchú, and Haunani-Kay Trask.