Book: ‘World Heritage Sites and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights'

A book originally published in 2014 by Forest Peoples Programme, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation and the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)

Read the full book online 

This book provides detailed case studies exploring the history and continued development and management of World Heritage sites that incorporate, in whole or in part, the lands, territories and resources of indigenous peoples. The testimonies and histories recorded in this book reveal some of the key challenges facing States and the World Heritage Convention bodies in ensuring that the implementation of the Convention does, in fact, support the aspirations of indigenous peoples to see their rights recognized and respected. The testimonies also reveal the hard work done by indigenous peoples in fighting for respect for their rights in World Heritage areas, through direct advocacy with the World Heritage Committee, engagement with international and/or regional human rights bodies, and national level efforts to achieve self-determination over their lands, territories and resources and their economic, social and cultural development as distinct peoples.

- Victoria Tauli Corpuz, Foreword

Many thanks to all the authors who contributed to the book, and special thanks to the speakers at the launch event itself, Tim Badman, Director of IUCN’s World Heritage Programme, Justin O’Brien, Director of the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation and author of the case study on Kakadu National Park, Wilson Kipkazi, Director of the Endorois Welfare Council who spoke on the case of Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Carina Green, author of the case study on the Laponian Area in Sweden, Henrietta Marrie, a Traditional Owner from the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area and contributing author, Edward Porokwa, Director of the PINGOs Forum who spoke of the issues in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Bruce Bremner of the Manitoba Government and Ray Rabliauskas from Poplar River First Nation, who together spoke on the Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage nomination, and Michael Adams, the author of the article about Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Stefan Disko spoke on behalf of himself and Helen Tugendhat, co-editors of the book, highlighting the positive contribution that the book was intended to make to a frank and realistic, on-going discussion of the ways in which the World Heritage Convention can be improved and strengthened, in order to ensure respect for the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the designation, management and protection of World Heritage Sites.