News Archives » indigenous peoples
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.
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The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples February 18th, 2010
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.
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Protest the Attack on Bangladeshi Indigenous Peoples’ Advocate and Oblate Friend: Sanjeeb Drong January 24th, 2010
Sanjeeb Drong survives but fears further attacks…
Mr Sanjeeb Drong, an important advocate for human rights and indigenous peoples in Bangladesh and SE Asia, and good friend of the Oblates, was brutally attacked last Friday by a group of hired thugs. He and his wife were travelling home from a meeting with the Bishop and a Diocesan Committee. Sanjeeb fled from his attackers and was rescued by the Bishop and several priests who then took him to a hospital. He is now safe in Dhaka. His wife was unharmed.
