I grew up in the Jewish "tribe," steeped in knowledge of the Holocaust. I was fortunate to grow up knowing all of my great grandparents, and at our Passover table, I listened to those who recounted their own journey to freedom from the concentration camps. These experiences of my heritage engendered a deep affinity for other cultures, and in my early twenties, this calling took me to Haiti, then from continent to continent tracking the "ancient ones." Over three decades, I have photographed Indigenous Peoples fighting for their lands, their traditions, their languages, and their very lives against corporate, governmental and missionary interests.
This collection of over 90 photographs has evolved into Dignity: In Honor of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (powerHouse Books; October 2010), a photography book designed to support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu states in the foreword, "The Indigenous Peoples have a gift to give that the world needs desperately, this reminder that we are made for harmony, for interdependence. If we are ever to prosper, it will only be together...The work of Dana Gluckstein helps us to truly see, not just appearances, but essences, to see as God sees us, not just the physical form, but also the luminous soul that shines through us."
The "ancient ones" tell us where we have come from and where we must go as a world community. Humanity's survival depends on how carefully we listen, and DIGNITY carries that impassioned call to action in support of Indigenous Peoples.
In honor of the UN's International Day of Indigenous Peoples, please sign a letter to President Obama asking him to endorse UNDRIP. To learn more about this important human rights declaration, visit www.amnestyusa.org.
Ellen Cantarow: Big Oil Makes War on the Earth
If you live on the Gulf Coast, welcome to the real world of oil, and know that you're not alone. In the Niger Delta and the Ecuadorian Amazon, your emerging hell has been the living hell of local populations for decades.
Jenni Avins: Can Globalization Be Glamorous? Check Out Brazil
The country's protectionist trade policy, urban migration and growing GDP are contributing to a Brazilian fashion industry that is attracting foreign investment and exporting Brazilian brands.
Sanjay Khanna: Nature, Culture and Climate Change
On December 20, 2006, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity. Three reasons for the declaration are listed on the official U.N. Convention on Biodiversity website.
International Day of the World's Indigenous People - 9 August
Holidays: Native Americans' Day in United States
Cultural Survival | Promoting the Rights, Voices, and Visions of ...
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http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/05/30/brazil-tribe.html
Only when we learn to value the differences among us will humanity mature and begin to reach its potential. Whenever we stand up to those who deny or minimize genocide we send a critical message to the world. As we continue to live in an age of genocide and ethnic cleansing, we must repel the broken ethics of our ancestors, or risk a dreadful repeat of past transgressions. A world that continues to allow genocide requires ethical remediation. We must show the world that religious, racial, ethnic and gender persecution is wrong; and that tolerance is our progeny's only hope. Only through such efforts can we reveal the true horror of genocide and promote the triumphant spirit of humankind.
Charles Weinblatt
Author, Jacob’s Courage
http://jacobscourage.wordpress.com/
Some of the most accomplished empires and inventions in history comes from these peoples....where are the photos?
:D
It took 500+ years for Europeans to learn that their people are dyeing off and Mother Earth is our only home. Respect your Mother and your days my be long.