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Video on Bangladeshi Khasi and Garo Peoples Now on YouTube April 12th, 2011

The Oblate JPIC office is excited to introduce the video, “Behind the Green,” to the Missionary Oblates JPIC YouTube Channel.

The film “Behind the Green” (Parts 1-3) is based on the historic struggle of the Khasi and Garo peoples for protection of their ancestral homeland in Bangladesh in the face of Government plans to establish an Eco-park in the Moulvibazar district. The eco-park would take up more than 1500 acres of the indigenous peoples’ land for tourism.

The films also features Fr. Joseph Gomes OMI, a missionary catholic priest working amongst the Garo and Khasi people in Bangladesh.

View the “Behind the Green” video at: http://www.youtube.com/user/OMIJPIC

Please bookmark this JPIC Youtube Channel website and check it frequently as it will be updated with stories and actions from Oblates in ministry. Spread the word!!

Canada Endorses UN Indigenous Rights Declaration November 17th, 2010

The Government of Canada formally endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on November 12.

“We understand and respect the importance of this United Nations Declaration to Indigenous peoples in Canada and worldwide,” said the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-status Indians. “Canada has endorsed the Declaration to further reconcile and strengthen our relationship with Aboriginal peoples in Canada.”

Learn more…

Tribal Law and Order Act Awaits Presidential Signature July 22nd, 2010

The Tribal Law and Order Act was passed by the House on July 21!

H.R. 725, which includes both the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act and the Tribal Law and Order Act passed the House under suspension of the rules by a roll call vote with a 2/3 majority (326 yeas). This strong bipartisan support is welcome, particularly given the partisan atmosphere that has come to characterize both the House and the Senate.

The bill enjoyed bipartisan support in the House as it did in the Senate, and now awaits the president’s signature to become law.

The Tribal Law and Order Act (H.R. 1924), developed in consultation with Native Americans, takes steps to improve public safety across Indian Country, where the average crime rate is 2.5 times the national average. The Friends Committee on National Legislation was very active in promoting the legislation, coordinating advocacy through letters and visits. The Oblate JPIC Office actively supported passage of this bill and is delighted with the bill’s passage.

More information on the legislation is available on the FCNL website.

US JPIC Committee, Oblate Students Attend JPIC, VIVAT and AFJN Meetings in Washington April 22nd, 2010

The US JPIC Committee and the JPIC staff met in Washington, DC from April 14 through the 15th to discuss the JPIC policies and priorities.

Nearly all of the Committee members were able to stay to attend a meeting on Friday  and Saturday that introduced VIVAT International to North American members of the association. VIVAT is an advocacy effort at the United Nations. The Oblates are presently Associate Members , with Daniel LeBlanc, OMI working closely with the group.

Several Oblate students from Zambia then arrived on Friday for the weekend meeting of the Africa Faith and Justice Network.

Protection of Khasi Villages Overturned by Court Order March 19th, 2010

A January victory by the Khasi people in stopping logging on their lands has been overturned by a High Court decision issued in late February. Four indigenous villages in Bangladesh, with their 500 Khasi residents, will be destroyed if logging by a local tea estate owner is allowed to continue.

An Oblate priest, Fr. Joseph Gomes, OMI, along with other colleagues from the environmental community have been working with the Khasi people to protect the forest and their villages. We urge all parties in a position to do so, to raise serious concerns with the Government of Bangladesh regarding this situation.

Click here to read more »

The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples February 18th, 2010

The States of the World’s Indigenous People – a report issued by the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues – is now available.

Indigenous peoples contribute extensively to the cultural diversity of humanity, being responsible for more than two thirds of its languages and an extraordinary amount of its traditional knowledge.

Click here to read more »

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