The declaration is a nonbinding document that formally establishes the individual and collective rights of the world's 370 million indigenous peoples, advocates for the protection and enhancement of their cultural identities and right to self-government, and underlines their right to control the lands and territories they have traditionally owned or used as well as their right to restitution for lands that have been taken from them.



I'm sure the reason for the no vote can be summed up by the section in bold. That would be quite a chunk of land, and wealth for that matter.

I think that In the USA a portion of state taxes should go to the nations of that state as payment for their lands. Paid to the entity of the nation of that state at a given sum or for a given period of time. Once credited, that nation could use the money as they see fit.

The Australian government has just taken back ownership of the land grants because the Aborigines are making it harder for mining companies. Seems the toxic spills shouldn't have been complained about.
The mining companies pay royalties set at the negotiation table.
Our Prime Minister is one of the few people who won't apologize for the genocide which took place.

I know, Tabsey.

At least Howard is better than *shudders* Bush.

this was pretty bad- they got permission for this project,launched it, it was successfull but then here came the agents to burn it down...
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv8-msgr&p=pine%20ridge%20hemp%20project
get a load of the headlines on this search result