A/76/202
natural resources. As a result, an industry-wide benefit-sharing agreement of its kind
between the Koikhoi and San communities and the South African rooibos tea industry
provides an entitlement for indigenous peoples to participate in the decision -making
process regarding urban development priorities and close disparities. 105
E.
State responses
67. Governments are responsible for upholding the individual and collective rights
of indigenous peoples regardless of their domicile. Misconceptions of urba n spaces
being incompatible with indigenous identities do not relieve States of their legal
obligations towards urban indigenous residents. Some States are fulfilling their duty
to support urban indigenous peoples by delivering programmes for language
preservation, job training, food sovereignty and social programmes.
68. In the United States, under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the
Indian and Native American Programs are designed to support education,
employment and economic and social development in accordance with the goals and
traditional cultural values of indigenous communities. 106 The Seattle public school
system has a Native American education programme that provides professional
development opportunities to ensure that educators employed at all levels are trained
in understanding tribal sovereignty, local indigenous histories and the customs and
practices of local tribes.
69. In Canada, the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples initiative was
announced in 2017 to provide funding for programmes and services to members of
urban First Nations (status and non-status), Métis and Inuit communities. Projects are
focused on gender-based violence, addiction, disability, elder care and youth
programming that involves land-based activities and mentoring. 107 In 2019, Canada
launched an indigenous skills and employment training programme to help
indigenous peoples to improve their skills and find employment.
70. Australia has committed itself to working with indigenous communities to close
the gap regarding the socioeconomic inequalities facing its indigenous peoples and
increase their participation in public life. Targeted under the National Agreement on
Closing the Gap are such areas as education, employment, health and well-being,
justice, safety, housing, land and waters and languages. The National Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013–2023 is accompanied by an implementation
plan and a tracking tool for regular monitoring of the specific goals.
71. In the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Government is developing a
multidisciplinary policy and called upon the Ayoreo peoples to define an economic
and social policy to promote their participation in municipal administration and
include their input in developing policies. 108 The 2009 Constitution and subsequent
legislation have amplified the collective rights of indigenous peoples but do not apply
specifically to urban indigenous peoples. 109
72. In Brazil, indigenous peoples have proposed a new educational model for an
intercultural space managed by the Secretary of Education to debate strategies and
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105
106
107
108
109
18/20
Presentation by Resource Africa (virtual consultation).
See www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/dinap.
See www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1471368138533/1536932634432 and www.canada.ca/en/indigenousnorthern-affairs/news/2017/05/canada_announcesnewurbanprogrammingforindigenouspeoples.
html.
Submission by Apoyo Para el Campesino-Indígena del Oriente Boliviano on the situation of
indigenous peoples in urban zones in the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
Joint submission by Jóvenes Indígenas y Afrobolivianos de Santa Cruz, Nación Indígena Originario
Qhara Qhara and Mancomunidad de Comunidades Indígenas de los Ríos Beni, Tuichi y Quiquibey.
21-10081