50th Anniversary Conference of the International Indian Treaty Council

The 50th Anniversary Conference of the International Indian Treaty Council (21-24 June) at Standing Rock featured 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. Both Maori and Kuna delegations were also present at the event as well as Francisco Calí Tzay Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples. Other participants were Bumpy Kanahele from Waimanalo, Hawaii, and Ron Lameman, Beaver Lake Cree Chairman of the Treaty Council. Discussions focused 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. The motto was 'Defending our Treaty rights to food, water and health so that our peoples will live'.

In 1974, after the Siege at Wounded Knee, traditional leadership of the Sioux Nation (Oceti Sakowin), the Anishnabe (3 Fires Confederacy), Iroquois, and many other Tribal nations gathered on the Standing Rock nation to determine a sovereign path forward founding the International Indian Treaty Council