A/HRC/36/53 them operate in the grey market because of a lack of education, the tough taxation policy and numerous inspections. 70. In Brazil, ethnotourism activities have only recently been regulated by the National Indian Foundation and are still a controversial issue for many indigenous peoples and communities due to their significant impact on the environment and on indigenous community life, especially in remote areas. Experiences of economic abuse by private companies or individuals involved in tourism activities have caused internal conflicts and raised communal governing concerns. In 2017, an innovative initiative of community-based tourism jointly managed by indigenous peoples and in accordance with federal legislation, supported by the State, will take place in the Rio Negro region as an assertion of indigenous peoples’ self-determination.42 71. Regardless of the type of business indigenous peoples end up owning and operating, having ownership and meaningful control over their own business plays an important role in their well-being and collective dignity. Peer-support networks, such as indigenous chambers of commerce, also help to create a climate for indigenous business through networking and promotional and advocacy type activities. For example, in South Africa, Khoi and San leaders have formed their own chamber of commerce and industry to address their socioeconomic marginalization and to lodge land claims. 43 72. Cooperatives are another model for business organization used successfully by indigenous peoples across the globe. For example, in Mexico, the Union of Indigenous Communities of the Isthmus Region has united coffee producers from 53 communities, including 5,000 families. They sell their coffee nationally through the fair trade market, and have started a cooperative which provides credit support. In Souss-Massa-Draa, Morocco, a cooperative of indigenous women produces argan oil. By owning their own business and making their own money, they are economically and socially empowered. Cooperatives not only empower indigenous peoples and facilitate their involvement in business, they also promote values of self-help, accountability, equality and solidarity. 44 Cooperatives have also assisted in securing rights, providing greater opportunities in formal labour markets, and balancing economic and environmental concerns. 73. Some indigenous peoples have established their own financial institutions, such as the Traditional Credit Union in the Northern Territory in Australia, the Caisse Populaire Kahnawake in Quebec, Canada and the Maskwacis Cree community in Canada. 45 When faced with discrimination from banks, the Maskwacis Cree community established its own bank, which now handles Can$ 752 million and has invested 2.5 billion in indigenous housing and indigenous businesses. 46 In Australia, the Traditional Credit Union in the Northern Territory is the only indigenous-owned and operated credit union in Australia. The idea for the Union came from a group of Aboriginal Elders who had experienced disadvantage from the lack of banking and other financial services on their land. The Traditional Credit Union was established with grant funding from the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and the Arnhemland Progress Association. The first branch was opened in Milingimbi in 1995 and since then, the Union has grown to a network of 15 branches.47 C. Financial institutions 74. Financial institutions, from local credit unions to multilateral institutions, have a crucial role to play in combating discrimination and facilitating indigenous peoples’ access 42 43 44 45 46 47 See www.serrasdetapuruquara.org/#expedição. Minority Rights Group International, State of the World’s Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2016: Events of 2015 (London, 2016). See the submission from Cultural Survival. Loizides and Wuttunee, Creating Wealth and Employment in Aboriginal Communities. Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild, presentation to the expert seminar on good practices and challenges for indigenous peoples’ entrepreneurship. Urbis, Enabling Prosperity. 15