AMERICAN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PREAMBLE The member states of the Organization of American States (hereinafter the States), RECOGNIZING: That the rights of indigenous peoples are both essential and of historical significance to the present and future of the Americas; The important presence in the Americas of indigenous peoples and their immense contribution to development, plurality, and cultural diversity, and reiterating our commitment to their economic and social well-being, as well as the obligation to respect their rights and cultural identity; and That the existence of the indigenous cultures and peoples of the Americas is important to humanity; ••• 3 •••