INGRID'S VISION, THE FOURTH MIND AND THE PERMANENT FORUM ...

IN TRIBUTE TO INGRID WASHINAWATOK EL ISSA - 2002

On March 4, 2002, three years after the brutal events leading to the death of Ingrid Washinawatok and her colleagues, many of us will pause and reflect on the need for justice, and a forum where voices such as Ingrid's can influence national governments and international agencies to take positive action on Indigenous issues.

One of the goals of the United Nations International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples is the establishment of a Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations. As we enter the 2nd half of this important Decade, and as an ongoing tribute to Ingrid Washinawatok, Dialogue Between Nations is pleased to provide an opportunity for global dialogue on Ingrid's vision for a structure of the proposed UN Permanent Forum. We also encourage you to visit Time Immemorial where you will find our 1999 commemoration of Ingrid and links to relevant information, as well as a Global Dialogue on the topic of the Fourth Mind.

Visit  The Forth Mind as explained by Ingrid (hear Ingrid's speech if you have Real Player installed on your computer)...

And... Ali El Issa's Statement for Time Immemorial

INGRID'S VISION

The Permanent Forum itself could be a model based on Indigenous traditions in the sense that the structure would be complementary to the realities of the 21st century, yet rooted in it's foundation of Indigenous thought.

If I may use a brief example and if my relatives' permit me, the Permanent Forum could be modeled after the Haudenosaunee methods of conflict resolution; Hopi methods of Peacemaking; Kuna methods of negotiation, etc.

Not only will this complement the goals of the Decade, but it will arrive Indigenous Peoples totally on an equal basis with the rest of the family of Nations.

The Permanent Forum should be a body at the highest level comprised of members firmly committed to Indigenous life-ways. 

Statement by Ingrid Washinawatok representing the

Indigenous Women's Network at the

UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations

Sub-Commission on the Prevention of

Discrimination and Protection of Minorities - 15^TH Session

Ingrid's vision is now very much a reality...

This year marked the 4th Session of her dream come true.

Please visit the...

UNITED NATION'S PERMANENT FORUM ON INDIGENOUS ISSUES.