For the rights of Indigenous Peoples
since 1974
The human rights organization Incomindios was founded in 1974 at the suggestion of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC). At that time, Indigenous delegates gained access to the UN in Geneva to represent their concerns. Since then, Incomindios has campaigned for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide - with a special focus on North, Central and South America.
Recognition – Self-Determination – Justice
The Incomindios office will remain closed until October 21, 2024, and the telephone will not be answered. Please send us an email and we will respond as quickly as possible.
50 years of Incomindios - we're celebrating!
We have reason to celebrate: On 28 & 29 September 2024, the oldest Swiss human rights organisation working for the rights of indigenous peoples will be a proud 50 years old! We are taking this half-century of commitment as an opportunity to present ourselves to the public and reflect on how the concerns of indigenous peoples must be taken into account in the face of climate change for the benefit of all peoples.
A varied cultural programme awaits us on the anniversary weekend:
Exciting public discussions with indigenous and Swiss guests of honour, a reading of indigenous poetry, a concert by Mitch Walking Elk and workshops for children and the young at heart. Our partner organisations will also be on site with information stands and a market with indigenous handicrafts will round off the festive event.
We are delighted to welcome outstanding indigenous personalities from North, Central and South America (see guest list below). All discussions will be simultaneously translated into German, English and Spanish.
Admission to the events is free (except museum admission on Sunday at NONAM) and open to the public - donations for our anniversary celebrations are of course greatly appreciated.
Please register for the event, this will help us with the planning.
Indigenous Guests of Honor
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Francisco Calí Tzay, UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, Maya (Guatemala)
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Ron Lameman, President of mother organisation IITC, Cree (Saskatchewan, Canada)
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Kenneth Deer, Haudenosaunee representative of external relations, Mohawk (Québec, Canada)
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Sharon Venne, Advocate Treaty 6, Cree (Saskatchewan, Canada)
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Mitch Walking Elk, AIM representative, musician, educator, Cheyenne-Arapaho-Hopi (USA)
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Ron Barnes, Representative Elders Council Alaska, Yupik (Alaska, USA)
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Sandra Ceballos, Advocate for indigenous women, Kolla (Argentina)
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Routh Bolomet, Descendant of King Kamehameha I, through eldest son, Prince Kahoa'noku Kina'u; and King Kamehameha III, through his Queen Consort, Queen H. Kalama (Hawaii, USA)
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Leon Siu, Minister of Foreign Affairs at Hawaiian Kingdom (Hawaii, USA)
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Karmen Ramirez Boscán, Member of Parliament Colombia, Wayuu (Colombia)
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María Violet Medina, Human rights activist, Nasa (Colombia)
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Carlos Gualtero, Human rights activist, Pijao (Colombia)
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Jackie Hookimaw Witt, Sociologist (Phd) and gastronome, Cree (Attawapiskat, Canada)
Founding members and Honorary members
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Heinz Lippuner and Peter R. Gerber, Incomindios founding members
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Balthasar Glättli, Swiss National Council, GRÜNE Schweiz, Incomindios member
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Dagmar Brendel-Loubier, actress, Incomindios member
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Programme
Saturday, 28th September 2024 at Rote Fabrik
13.30h: Door opening
Marketplace with
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Information stands from Incomindios and partner organisations
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Indigenous guests offer jewelry and art objects for sale
14.00: Welcome
14.10 - 15.30h: Audience discussion and workshop (parallel) -all discussions will be simultaneously translated into German, English and Spanish!
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Indigenous peoples - guardians of biodiversity and first victims of climate change
Initiatives of indigenous communities against climate change and what we in the “West” can learn from them.
The indigenous panelists will be announced soon.
2. Indigenous stories and cosmovision (for children, youth and the young at heart). With translation.
Children may participate without parents.
The indigenous workshop leaders will be announced soon.
16.00h: Exhibition Opening accompanied by indigenous poetry (Dagmar Brendel-Loubier, actress)
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50 years of Wounded Knee, presentation by Monika Seiller (AGIM)
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Portrait photos of indigenous people by Patrik Fuchs
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Video installation 50 years of Incomindios
16.15h: Short film "And then we disappear"
Documentary film about the Uru people of Bolivia, by Henriette Stierlin (active member of Incomindios) and Claudia Hegglin
16.30h: Panel discussion: The position of indigenous peoples in the world under international law.
Political and legal developments of the last 50 years.
Topic of discussion and the indigenous panelists will be announced soon.
18.00h: Apéro Riche - Incomindios invites all attending guests to a rich buffet.
Setting: Mo Keist, cultural mediator, St.Gallen cabaret award winner and storyteller, will tell stories to the audience during the aperitif with her “Poetophone”.
19.00h: Anniversary act - ceremonial entry in indigenous tradition
Drum group " All Nations Drum Singers" with large drums, flags, speeches and tribute to the IITC (parent organization of Incomindios)
Indigenous masters of ceremonies and speakers will be announced soon.
20.00h: Concert by Mitch Walking Elk
The award-winning Arapaho-Hopi singer-songwriter presents a cross-section of his music.
21.00h: Closing
Ceremonial excerpt, preview of Sunday's program and indigenous (dance)music.
22.00h: End of the event
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Sunday, 29th September 2024 at NONAM (North America Native Museum)
14.30 - 16.00: Public discussion and workshop (parallel)
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What do indigenous peoples actually say about cancel culture, wokeness and cultural appropriation?Voices from Indigenous America with a musical interlude by Mitch Walking Elk.
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NONAM cultural education workshop for children and the young at heart. Children may participate without parents.
16.00 - 16.30h: Musical interlude & small closing ceremony
Indigenous Rights
Indigenous Peoples still experience discrimination and racism as a result of colonialism. These communities often live in resource-rich regions and are thus often targeted in pursuit of economic interests. It was not until 2007 that Indigenous Peoples were granted comprehensive fundamental rights as collectives and as individuals through the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Declaration is not a binding agreement; however, it is an important foundation for demanding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and creating mechanisms for states and multinational companies to implement and respect these rights.
Support for Indigenous Peoples
Incomindios supports Indigenous Peoples in enforcing their rights to recognition, self-determination, and justice.
Our offer of support:
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