2018 UNITED NATIONS NGO REPORT

Sunray Meditation Society

January 2019

Sunray Meditation Society is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in association with the United Nations Civil Society Unit, Department of Global Communications formerly the Department of Public Information of the United Nations. Sunray supports the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and focuses on Indigenous Peoples with the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

UN PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES

The 17th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was convened 16 – 27 April 2018 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The theme was “Indigenous peoples’ collective rights to lands, territories and resources”. More than 1,000 indigenous participants from all over the world attended this Forum. “Lands and resources are vitally important to indigenous peoples, not just as sources of income but as the sources of identity and life,” said Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, the Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. “Indigenous peoples’ collective rights to lands and resources are crucial to tackling global challenges as climate change and the loss of biodiversity” she emphasized. ”Effective implementation of those rights through laws, policies and programmes is the demand of indigenous peoples across the globe”.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Every year on August 9 the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated at United Nations Headquarters and throughout the world. For the 2018 International Day the focus was on Indigenous peoples’ migration and movement. The Day was celebrated throughout the world and  the UN event was webcast live on UN TV.  

SPECIAL PROGRAMS OF SUNRAY NGO

☼ 2018 brought the celebration of World Water Day on March 22 and activation of the Water is Life Campaign by Sunray Meditation Society. This campaign is to support Sustainable Development Goal # 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.  We offer prayers and practices for honoring and sustaining our precious gift of Water. Our website: ww.sunray.org contains much further information.

☼ Health and Indigenous Peoples, Good Practices Addressing Health Challenges of Indigenous Peoples on Oct. 11. Panel discussion with representatives from South American (Colombia), North America/Turtle Island (Canada) and Asia/Himalayas (Nepal). Presenters addressed physical and mental health challenges as high suicide rates, substance abuse and chronic health conditions. They discussed the contributions of indigenous healing traditions in addressing these adverse conditions.

COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

☼On March 15, Bishop Carol Gallagher, the first American Indian Bishop in Episcopal, Cherokee Nation and the first indigenous female bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion spoke at our meeting. She spoke of increasing Native leadership, fighting against ignorance and bias and the importance of water protection.

☼ On November 15, we heard from Lidia Arriagada, founder of Images for Inclusion. She spoke about a new initiative, Pink Balls for Girls. This is to bring soccer to especially indigenous girls in her home country of Chile. They have not been able to play soccer and she is working to change that with setting up programs throughout the country for girls. The benefits of playing sports like soccer are strengthening of self-confidence, self-esteem, health, team work and communication skills, improve academic, political inclusion and cultural identity.

☼There is a national movement to replace Columbus Day with National Indigenous  Peoples Day- for a list of municipalities, cities and states recognizing this day: http://indianyouth.org/news/detail/cities-states-celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day

The NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples meets monthly at or near UN Headquarters in New York City and all are invited. I am most grateful to Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo and her ancestors for providing the vision and path that we may work together, people from all nations to manifest peace, balance and justice. May this work be of benefit for all.  Sandy Sheridan, MS, PT Sunray UN/NGO Representative