A/HRC/21/47/Add.1 Significant federal legislation and programmes that have been developed over the last few decades, in contrast to early exercises of federal power based on misguided policies, constitute good practices that in significant measure respond to indigenous peoples’ concerns. Especially to be commended are the many new initiatives taken by the executive to advance the rights of indigenous peoples in the last few years. The Special Rapporteur finds, however, that existing federal programmes need to be improved upon and their execution made more effective. Moreover, new measures are needed to advance toward reconciliation with indigenous peoples and address persistent deep-seated problems related to historical wrongs, failed policies of the past and continuing systemic barriers to the full realization of indigenous peoples’ rights. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is an important impetus and guide for improving upon existing measures to address the concerns of indigenous peoples in the United States, and for developing new measures to advance toward reconciliation. The Declaration, which is grounded in widespread consensus and fundamental human rights values, should be a benchmark for all relevant decision-making by the federal executive, Congress, and the judiciary, as well as by the states of the United States. The Special Rapporteur makes a series of recommendations in this regard. The Special Rapporteur would like to thank the United States Government, especially the Department of State, for the cooperation it provided for the mission. He would also like to express his deep gratitude to representatives of indigenous peoples, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions – named in appendix II– whose assistance in planning and carrying out of this visit was indispensible. The Special Rapporteur is grateful to the indigenous peoples that welcomed him into their communities and for the hospitality he received. Finally, the Special Rapporteur is grateful to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Support Project for the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples at the University of Arizona for their assistance in carrying out the mission and preparing this report. 2