Issues such as access to land and natural resources; the protection of the environment; the need to be consulted; the importance of ensuring participation and representation; the right to self-governance including the recognition and the respect for indigenous traditional leaders, indigenous law and jurisdiction; the protection of indigenous cultural rights including language, culture, religion, sacred places, bilingual and intercultural education, are crucial elements of the contemporary human rights discourse as it concerns indigenous peoples.
Issues such as access to land and natural resources; the protection of the environment; the need to be consulted; the importance of ensuring participation and representation; the right to self-governance including the recognition and the respect for indigenous traditional leaders, indigenous law and jurisdiction; the protection of indigenous cultural rights including language, culture, religion, sacred places, bilingual and intercultural education, are crucial elements of the contemporary human rights discourse as it concerns indigenous peoples.