IITC RETURNING TO STANDING ROCK FOR ITS 50TH
ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE JUNE 21-24, 2024
“The Black Hills are STILL not for Sale”!
Poster by Richard Whitman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (JUNE 13, 2024) – From June 21st – 24th, 2024 the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) will hold its 50th Anniversary Treaty Conference at the Bay in Wakpala, Standing Rock Reservation, South Dakota.
IITC’s founding conference was held on Standing Rock June 8-6, 1974, attended by 5000 delegates from throughout the Americas. They established the IITC to serve as an international voice for Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations. IITC’s founding document, the “Declaration of Continuing Independence”, affirmed that “Treaties between sovereign nations explicitly entail agreements which represent ‘the supreme law of the land’, binding each party to an inviolate international relationship.”
In 1977 IITC was the first Indigenous Peoples organization to receive Consultative Status from the UN Economic and Social Council, and in 2011, became the only one that has been upgraded to General Consultative Status in recognition of its work for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in a wide range of international bodies. IITC represents hundreds of Indigenous Nations, Peoples and organizations from North, Central and South America, the Arctic, Pacific and Caribbean.
The 50th Anniversary Conference will feature presentations by Indigenous leaders from Oceti Sakowin Treaty Territory and around the world as well as cultural and spiritual sharing and updates on IITC’s work at the United Nations. Discussions will focus on core shared concerns including Treaty rights to land and water, Women and Children’s rights, Food Sovereignty, Climate Change, Youth organizing and impacts of Mining and other extractives.
IITC Board member and co-founder Bill Means, Oglala Lakota, is one of the Conference coordinators. He spoke on the historic significance of this event: “We made it to the United Nations which was our original goal and we’re still bringing the significant issues impacting our Nations to the world stage. We look forward to sharing what we’ve achieved in the last 50 years and to discussing plans and strategies to defend our Peoples’ rights for the next 50 years.”
The conference will begin with an opening ceremony and lighting of the sacred fire at 5:30 AM on the 21st, and will conclude at noon on the 24th with the adoption of conference resolutions. Camping spaces and meals will be provided.
Log on to IITC’s web page, www.iitc.org, for additional information the conference poster, Lakota protocols (“Wolakota”), lodging information, and an overview agenda.
For additional information about onsite logistics:
contact Billi Jo Beheler: (701) 226-2409, [email protected]
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Treaties, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands.
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IITC RETURNING TO STANDING ROCK FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
IITC RETURNING TO STANDING ROCK FOR ITS 50TH
ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE JUNE 21-24, 2024
“The Black Hills are STILL not for Sale”!
Poster by Richard Whitman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (JUNE 13, 2024) – From June 21st – 24th, 2024 the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) will hold its 50th Anniversary Treaty Conference at the Bay in Wakpala, Standing Rock Reservation, South Dakota.
IITC’s founding conference was held on Standing Rock June 8-6, 1974, attended by 5000 delegates from throughout the Americas. They established the IITC to serve as an international voice for Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations. IITC’s founding document, the “Declaration of Continuing Independence”, affirmed that “Treaties between sovereign nations explicitly entail agreements which represent ‘the supreme law of the land’, binding each party to an inviolate international relationship.”
In 1977 IITC was the first Indigenous Peoples organization to receive Consultative Status from the UN Economic and Social Council, and in 2011, became the only one that has been upgraded to General Consultative Status in recognition of its work for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in a wide range of international bodies. IITC represents hundreds of Indigenous Nations, Peoples and organizations from North, Central and South America, the Arctic, Pacific and Caribbean.
The 50th Anniversary Conference will feature presentations by Indigenous leaders from Oceti Sakowin Treaty Territory and around the world as well as cultural and spiritual sharing and updates on IITC’s work at the United Nations. Discussions will focus on core shared concerns including Treaty rights to land and water, Women and Children’s rights, Food Sovereignty, Climate Change, Youth organizing and impacts of Mining and other extractives.
IITC Board member and co-founder Bill Means, Oglala Lakota, is one of the Conference coordinators. He spoke on the historic significance of this event: “We made it to the United Nations which was our original goal and we’re still bringing the significant issues impacting our Nations to the world stage. We look forward to sharing what we’ve achieved in the last 50 years and to discussing plans and strategies to defend our Peoples’ rights for the next 50 years.”
The conference will begin with an opening ceremony and lighting of the sacred fire at 5:30 AM on the 21st, and will conclude at noon on the 24th with the adoption of conference resolutions. Camping spaces and meals will be provided.
Log on to IITC’s web page, www.iitc.org, for additional information the conference poster, Lakota protocols (“Wolakota”), lodging information, and an overview agenda.
For additional information about onsite logistics:
contact Billi Jo Beheler: (701) 226-2409, [email protected]
The International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) is an organization of Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific working for the Sovereignty and Self Determination of Indigenous Peoples and the recognition and protection of Indigenous Rights, Treaties, Traditional Cultures and Sacred Lands.