Asia indigenous peoples regional fair

UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples at Chiangmai, Thailand organised by the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact under the banner of ‘Asia Indigenous Peoples Regional Fair’ was held from on July 26-27.
The celebration symbolise that every people shared a special bond in their tradition and work that the declaration had repeatedly highlighted and the declaration must be recognized, supported, maintained and developed said Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact General Secretary Jannie Lasimbang at the 2 day Asia indigenous peoples regional fair.
Jannie Lasimbang also stated that the collective spirit would not only draw people closer together but would be the basis of success in realizing the rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous people. Jannie further emphasized on the importance of asserting indigenous peoples’ collective rights and the right reflected peoples uniqueness to maintain collective identity, territories and resources.
The declaration included the right to establish peoples own indigenous institutions like learning centers, health centers, and cultural centers as well as our political, economic and social institutions, she added.
Jannie also said that the role of indigenous women will be enhanced and further recognized in the course of our assertion towards the revitalization of these indigenous systems because of the special knowledge and role women have in indigenous communities. The idea of organizing the programme is to popularize the Declaration by bringing it to the Thai public as a symbol of the unity and diversity of indigenous peoples in Asia and to highlight the common issues, challenges and aspirations of indigenous peoples.The Regional Fair showcased UNDRIP theme to promote the Declaration, on ‘Unity’ to promote similar initiatives by indigenous organizations in the region and on ‘Diversity’ to promote the diverse cultures of indigenous peoples of Asia. Representatives from 14 countries namely Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonasia, Timor Leste, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Bangladesh, India, Northeast India, Nepal and Thailand were seen in their traditional attire. They also showcased local and indigenous food, wine besides handicraft products. Cultural folk songs and dances were also performed. 27 member delegations from North Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam Naharlagun, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur also participated in the fair. Guru Rewben Mashangva the father of Naga folk blues from Manipur mesmerized the crowd with his opening number ‘Peace Pipe’ with his traditional flute.
Chiang Mai Social Development and Human Security Monskol Denvilai Patkul inaugurated the two day programme and was jointly organized by Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact and the Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples Network (IKAP) Network and Inter-Mountain Peoples’ Culture and Education in Thailand (IMPECT), together with a number of partners namely Partners of Community Organization (PACOS) Trust-Malaysia, Nationalities Youth Forum-Thailand, Hmong Association-Thailand, Cordillera Peoples Alliance-Philippines, Aliansi Masyarakat Nusantara-Indonesia and United Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDP-RIP).
The Human Rights Award ceremony acknowledged the sacrifice made by several Indigenous Human Rights activists for the cause of the Indigenous Peoples which included Manabendra Narayan Larma; A Jumma, Founder of PCJSS, 1939-1983, Bangladesh; Dam Chanthy, Ethnicity: Laos; Tompoun, and Charay, Born: 11 November 1954, Cambodia; Raja J.P. Rahail, Raja Maur Ohoiwut, Indonesia; TK Kelesau Naan, Penan headman, Long Kerong, Sarawak, Malaysia; Bijaya Subba, Nepal; Luingam Luithui, founding member of Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights and the founding Secretary General of Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact, Northeast India; Rafael Markus Bangit, Philippines; Lin Tzeryang, Taiwan; Chutima Morlaeku, (MeeJu), Aka. June 21, 1968, Johny Ohdochao, Karen; 2 August 1946, Thail