by Doug George-Kanentiio, Akwesasne Bear Clan
A hundred years ago, in 1924, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy started on the long road towards securing a presence among the world nations when it sent a delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
That spokesperson was Levi General, a traditional leader of the Cayuga Nation who carried the title name of Deskaheh. He travelled to Europe on credentials issued by the Confederacy and spent months lobbying the League to formally recognize Indigenous people as having the right to self -governance.
Deskaheh was considered a threat to Britain and its then colony of Canada.
His challenges to the imperial powers were heard by other indigenous delegates and carried around the world. Among his contemporaries in Geneva was Nguyễn Sinh Cung from what was then called French Indo-China, now Viet Nam. Nguyen would change his name to Ho Chi Minh and win the independence of his people from the French, Japanese, Chinese and American.
Deskahaeh was banished from his home west of Toronto on the Six Nations Territory and died in exile in Rochester, NY.
Fifty years after his passing the Confederacy sent a large delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva in 1977 to once again bang on the doors and demand to be heard. There were many Native people present. They were there to obtain that recognition denied in 1923.
Thirty two years later the UN passed the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) which has now been endorsed by all of the world’s nations including Israel.
UNDRIP does acknowledge that Palestinians are indigenous and therefore are protected by the Declaration.
Among UNDRIP’s provisions are the right to self determination, the right to human liberties, the right to control their own resources and to live in a state of freedom. Since Israel is a signatory to UNDRIP it is bound by its rules.
The violence of October 7 brought about by Hamas is inexcusable but the response of Israel is beyond terrifying.
All humans must be accorded access to independent courts of law before their lives are placed in jeopardy by a nation state but this has been ignored by the Israeli government whose aerial bombing has killed tens of thousands of innocent civilian, mostly women and children.
Eradication of the Palestinians is an obvious intent. Israel is killing thousands absent the rule of law. It has cost not only the lives of children, women and elders but Israel’s standing among other nations. The resulting isolation will lead to acts of revenge and more deaths.
The Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s response should be a call, put an end to the violence and to seek ongoing protection of the Palestinians under UNDRIP. Native leaders and their respective nations should stand with the Palestinians (exclusive of Hamas) in a show of Indigenous solidarity while continuing to advocate for peace.
It is admirable for American and Canadian students, and now students and youth worldwide, to do likewise at risk of their freedom and a permanent criminal record. But at least they are taking a stand and for that they deserve our support.
It is more than most Native nations have done to date.
