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Statement and Resolution

The Conference On

Life for Pacific Peoples

 

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Statement from Aotearoa

 

We, the Indigenous People of Aotearoa, believe that the answers for this world and its problems lie with all the Indigenous Peoples of the world.

We have lived as one with the elements. It has not been us, but the colonists and their descendants who have been responsible for the destruction of humankind and the wholesale rape of our Mother the Earth.

The only way we will beat the bomb and gain our own independence, is when all Indigenous Peoples unite and fight together.

The colonists of this world have tried to destroy everything. Our lands, our culture, and our language. But the one thing that they have failed to do is destroy the spirit of Indigenous Peoples and their people before them.

All over the world, Indigenous People are rising up, and we have now begun to link up. Already we are a threat to those against us.

We must recognize that we are not our own enemies. Our enemies are those who are a hindrance to our struggle and our survival.

We, as Indigenous Peoples, must build up a bond of trust, honesty, and support, so that individuals, individual countries, and other nations can do nothing to weaken us.

 

To regain life is to regain the land.

To regain the land is to reclaim our rights as the Indigenous People of the world.

 

 

20-24 February 1984,  

Auckland,

Aotearoa (New Zealand)

 

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Resolutions and Action Proposals:

1. Aotearoa

We the indigenous people of Aotearoa demand:

–    To establish our claim as Tangata Whenua, as true representative of Aotearoa;

–    To inform the world of the true history of Aotearoa, and to denounce any actions of the present state of NZ as being illegal and immoral;

–    To establish social, political and cultural alliances with other Indigenous Nations of the world;

–    To seek access to international forums through which our case can receive maximum publicity and support;

–    To invite representatives of other Indigenous Nations to come to Aotearoa, to share a mutual education in our common struggle against colonial oppression;

–    To offer our support to the causes of all Indigenous Nations of the world, and in particular for the return of their lands, dignity and status as rightful owners and guardians of their homelands.

 

Resolutions:

1.   That this Hui endorse 'AOTEAROA' as the rightful name of this country.

Action Proposals:

i     Letter-writing to all political parties this election year of 1984;

ii     Petition to be distributed throughout Aotearoa and internationally.

2.   Because there has been an illegal occupation and exploitation of Maori ancestors, land, forests and fisheries, this Hui supports Maori people reclaiming full and exclusive rights as a sovereign people.

3.   That this Hui calls for national and international support and solidarity, to protest against the Treaty of Waitangi celebrations held every February 6th.

 

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Action Proposals:

i     Declare Feb. 6 a Day of Mourning;

ii     Letters of opposition to P.M., Governor-General, Ben Couch, Hiwi Tauroa, Graham Latimer

iii    Initiate actions in local and international areas;

iv    Initiate education programs in the community.

4.   That this Hui support all moves to return Maori land, language and culture.

5.   That this Hui affirms te reo Maori to be the mother tongue of Aotearoa, and calls for immediate implementation.

Action Proposals:

i     Letters requesting more Maori programs be sent to Minister of Broadcasting;

ii     Letter-writing campaign to Minister of Education, Muldoon, Couch etc. that Te Kohanga Reo be freely available to all Maori children, be funded by the State with equal resources to those distributed to kindergartens, and be under Maori control;

iii    That Maori-lingual programs be made available at Primary, Intermediate and Secondary level (letters and campaigns;

iv    That we stipulate that all te reo Maori to be taught in schools and Te Kohanga Reo by native Maori speakers.

6.   That this hui demands the immediate and unconditional return of all Maori artifacts and heads exhibited and held overseas to Maori people.

Action Proposals:

i     We seek the support of international delegates to have these taonga returned to Aotearoa.

7.   That this hui condemns the mass production of replicas of our artifacts and bastardization of our culture for tourist exploitation.

 

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Action Proposals:

i     Encourage the use of ACORD 'souvenirs display';

ii     Harassment of local shopkeepers who sell these artifacts.

8.   That this hui fully recognizes the NGATI-WHAATUA as being the true owners and guardians of Takaparawha (Bastion Point, and we therefore demand the immediate return of this land to the NGATI-WHAATUA people.

Action Proposals:

i     Active letter-writing campaigns to Auckland City Council, Waitangi Tribunal, Min. of Lands, Queen of England, P.M., Kotahitanga and all political parties;

ii     Showing of Bastion Pt. film, "507 Days";

iii    Solidarity messages and localized action on May 25 (75 Penrose Rd., Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland, Aotearoa (nz.)

9.   That this hui declares AOTEAROA, its airspace and waters, nuclear-free.

10.  That this hui opposes the involvement of the NZ Government in the ANZUS treaty and RIMPAC exercises.

Action Proposals:

i     Letters of opposition to Min. of Defense, Muldoon, and all governments involved in these exercises.

11.  That this hui opposes the 'Maori International' plan to take over the Rotorua Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and land.

Action Proposals:

i     Letters of opposition to Graham Latimer, Kara Puketapu, Maori Affairs;

ii     Information concerning effects of tourism on Hawaii over a ten-year period.

12.  That this hui endorses the work of the PCRC office, being the main centre, and encourages the development

 

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of regional offices to strengthen the NFIP movement.

13.  That this hui condemn all levels of mining, exploration and rape of our mother earth and seabeds, and the continuous RAPE of all indigenous lands.

14.  We oppose the intention of all superpowers and multinationals to engage the world in land exploitation and a nuclear war that can only lead to the total destruction of Mother Earth.

 

2. Statement in support of P.C.R.C.

Te Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa supports the work of the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (P.C.R.C.); recognizes the efforts and accomplishments of the center, and further recognizes that no other such centre thus far has had equivalent success internationally; and further, we acknowledge that the centre plays a vital role in both the internal and external communications of the NFIP movement.

 

3. Resolution in support of and in recognition of Ka Lahui Hawaii

We, Te Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa,

1.   Demand that the United States of America admit their guilt in the illegal, armed overthrow of the sovereign nation of Hawaii in 1893; an action, which broke five (5) treaties between the U.S.A. and the Hawaiian Nation;

2.   Demand that the U.S. recognize the inalienable right of self-determination for the indigenous people of Hawaii, and that they recognize our spiritual, emotional, historical and physical connection to our land, and that we are therefore entitled to have access to and control over our lands and destiny as a people;

3.   Condemn the U.S. misuse of Hawaii land and waters for such exploitative corporate and economic interests including, but not limited to: militarism, tourism,

 

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corporate agriculture, geothermal exploitation, manganese nodule mining and nuclear bomb and vessel storage;

4.   Expose the fact that the U.S.A. is not, nor ever has been, concerned with the physical/spiritual/mental well being of Ka Po'e Hawaii, and has historically and consistently used Hawaii for their own purposes of political and economic world domination, and have used their superior military force to impose this against the will of Ka Po'e Hawaii;

5.   Acknowledge that the Kanaka Hawaii have suffered under American colonial rule in regard to: land theft; loss of our language; loss of our traditional spiritual ceremonies with the imposition of Christianity; loss of our traditional survival skills; loss of many of our traditional art forms; breakdown of our family and social structures; bastardization of our sacred dance, the hula; and the commodification of our culture for economic exploitation through tourism. Further, that the Kanaka Hawaii have suffered huge population loss through displacement from our lands and through the introduction of foreign diseases introduced by the British and by the Americans, and that our people have also,  under American  colonial  rule,  suffered psychological degradation, humiliation and spiritual denial:

6.   Therefore, we demand that:

–    All Hawaii lands be returned, unconditionally, to the Kanaka Hawaii.

–    That further excavations, exploitation and desecration of our sacred lands come to a complete stop.

–    Discontinue that land sales. The current administration of the U.S.A. will not recognize their role in the overthrow of our Nation, and does not admit that Hawaii's present government is illegal and

 

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maintained through propaganda and force. Therefore, the U.S. has no right to sell our land to other foreigners.

–    That all Hawaii artifacts and replicas outside of Hawaii be returned to Hawaii.

–    That the manufacture and mass production of Hawaiian replicas and reproductions which sell and promote humiliating, bastardized, simplistic and false images of our culture for tourist dollars, be stopped immediately.

–    That Hawaii be declared Nuclear Free and that all nuclear weapons and vessels in Hawaii be immediately removed; and that the Kanaka Hawaii has the right to determine environmental space i.e.: the zoning of water and airspace to be defined nuclear-free perimeters and that all other nations honor this right.

–    That comprehensive, low cost health programs for Kanaka Hawaii be established and maintained.

–    That it be recognized that olelo Hawaii is 'olelo makuahine, mother tongue of Hawaii, and that we therefore call for the implementation of:

–    Language schools exclusively for children with koko Hawaii.

–    Language being taught by Kanaka Hawaii at all levels within the DOE system, but not to be controlled by DOE, which will alternative outdoor learning situations to fortify the enrichment of Hawaii culture.

–    Research availability – specifically, access for Kanaka Hawaii to all books, tapes, records, documents, etc. (relevant to Hawaii) and that this extends to resource centers both within and outside of Hawaii.

–    Finally, that Kanaka Hawaii has the right to determine and establish social, political, cultural and economic alliances with any other indigenous nation in the world.

 

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4. Support of the Protect Kaho 'Olawe Ohana (P.K.O.)

Resolution:

Te Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa o Aotearoa, stands in solidarity with the P.K.O. in their struggle to stop the bombing of Kaho 'olawe Island, one of the eight major islands in the Hawaiian chain; in particular, Te Hui Oranga protest against the N.Z. role in the R.I.M.P.A.C. military exercises, which includes the bombing of Kaho 'olawe. Kaho 'olawe historically has always been a spiritual and educational centre for the Hawaiian people, and continues to be so today. Indigenous peoples share the pain of such a sacrilege and of any rape of mother earth, and therefore support the struggle of the Hawaiian people to regain Kaho 'olawe and all other stolen lands.

Action Proposals:

That the Maori people send a delegation of four (4) to Hawaii during the RIMPAC exercises to show solidarity with the Hawaiian people and to participate in actions against RIMPAC.

That the Maori people contribute to the consciousness-raising with the use of an up-dated video of RIMPAC to be sent to PPANAC, so that people fully understand NZ's role in these exercises, and what it means to NZ and to the Hawaiians.

 

5. Rimpac Exercises

Resolution:

This hui, Te Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa o Aotearoa, stand in opposition against the RIMPAC fleet exercises conducted every two years in Hawaiian waters by the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and New Zealand military forces. We condemn these exercises, as they exist not for the protection of the indigenous peoples nor any other peoples of the Pacific, but rather to escalate the U.S.A.'s plans for global domination politically, militarily and economically. Further, we condemn all these governments and contend that any countries that condone

 

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these exercises are accessories to the ultimate crime – the total annihilation of all forms of physical life as we know it, and that the participation of any country in these exercises is a demonstration of their support for the nuclear destruction of Mother Earth. Additionally, RIMPAC ship-to-shore bombardment of Kaho 'olawe, an island held sacred to the Hawaiian people, whose history and ancient cities document an ancient civilization as old as time.

Action Proposals:

1.   That the people of Aotearoa contribute to the consciousness raising of their country, so that people might fully understand the NZ role in these exercises and what it means to New Zealanders and to the Hawaiian people.

2.   Such actions as petition signing, letters to President Reagan and Prime Minister Muldoon, Minister of Defense David Thompson,  local members of parliament, letters to the editor, resolutions against RIMPAC in parliament, demonstrations, stickers, pamphlets,   coordinated   forums   in   schools, communities, public functions, theatres, shows, music, radio and TV.

3.   That we write to the Minister of Defense requesting information regarding NZ military forces in the RIMPAC fleet exercises: What is the role of these forces? Is it necessary for them to participate? What effects does this have on, firstly, Na Oiwi o Hawaii, and on the environment i.e. the land, water, flora and fauna? Is research being carried out as to the above questions: if so, to what scale; if not, we request the Government of New Zealand to consult with the Protect Kaho 'olawe 'Ohana (PKO), the organization that has done extensive research into the effects of the RIMPAC exercises and the shelling of the sacred island of Kaho 'olawe.

 

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6.  Australia

We demand

Resolutions:

1.   That the Australian Government recognizes the aboriginal people as the legitimate indigenous sovereign owners of Australia.

2.   That the Australian Government bans all uranium mining.

3.   Than an independent inquiry be set up on the physical effects on the Pitjantjatjara people and their land as a result of the nuclear tests of 1956-7 and demand compensation and restoration of the land.

4.   That all Aboriginal relics and artifacts be returned to the rightful owners (such as the Crowther collection).

5.   That Federal and State Governments of Australia enact Aboriginal Land Rights Legislation.

Action Proposal:

National Aborigines' Day, Friday, 13 July: rally under the banner of land rights.

 

7. New Caledonia

Preamble:

At present, the situation in New Caledonia is extremely tense, with Kanaks and white colonialists waiting to see who will shoot first. For example on January 28th this year, the Kanak land committee made up of all grassroots organizations for independence, decided to occupy the mayor's office at Kone on the west coast as part of their program to regain control of their land. To counter this action, two leading right-wing parties, the RPCR and the Caledonian Front, called on members to assemble at the mayor's office. The French military intervened to break up the clash that erupted between the two factions.

This type of confrontation is happening all the time. On Feb. 11, two further land occupations were mounted-at Kone on cattle stations stolen by white settlers. Traditional Kanak whare were constructed on the properties to

 

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symbolize the Kanak people's inalienable right to their land. That night white settlers on the west coast joined forces and burnt down the whare. Other members of the right wing marched through the streets of Noumea to the High Commissioner's residence and ripped up the railings around it to demonstrate their opposition to independence. The army did nothing. The Kanak council of tribal elders has therefore decided that from now on there will be no negotiation with white racists.

The Independence Front has sent a telegram to President Mitterand, stating, "If blood flows in New Caledonia, he will be responsible".

Resolutions/Action Proposals:

1.   In solidarity with the Kanak struggle for independence, participants to Te Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa resolve to do everything within our power to publicize the current situation in New Caledonia.

2.   We further resolve to raise funds for the Kanak struggle and to send Maori sisters and brothers to New Caledonia to give our support.

3.   We also pledge to conduct solidarity protest actions on September 24; the day French people celebrate their rip off the Kanak.

 

8. Tahiti Nui

Resolutions:

1.   This Hui support action taken by the Tahitian movement in their demonstration protests against French rule and nuclear testing.

2.   This Hui support and strengthen communications between Aotearoa and Tahiti, and set up a group to co­ordinate local actions in solidarity with actions taken in Tahiti.

Action Proposals:

Ideas for action in Aotearoa in solidarity with the indigenous people of Tahiti Nui:

 

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1.   Campaign for the expulsion of the French ambassador to New Zealand.

2.   Establish a scholarship fund for the indigenous people of Tahiti Nui to learn to speak English, to be used for international communication.

3.   Work on New Zealand tourists to Tahiti Nui:

i     to educate them about the real situation in Tahiti Nui and especially about the exploitative nature of the tourist industry there;

ii     To encourage them not to go there.

4.   Make full use of the educational resources on Tahiti Nui, which we have here — especially the slide set held by Greenpeace.

 

9. Support of the Indigenous Dine People of North America

Resolutions:

1.   We, the Indigenous Dine People of North America and the Indigenous People of the Pacific, with support from the non-indigenous support group members, hereby reaffirm our support for the People's Charter for a Nuclear Free Pacific and the Draft Declaration of Principles for the Defense of the Indigenous Nations and Peoples of the Western Hemisphere. Declared and supported at the Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, February 20-24, 1984.

2.   We resolve to send Indigenous delegates to the International Indian Treaty Council being held in South Dakota, June 1984.

Action Proposals:

1.   Send financial and people support to the Big Mountain Alert (April 1984 onwards) and also letters of support to:

a.   Larry Anderson, P.O. Box 948, Fort Defiance, Arizona 86504. Ph. (602) 729-5104

 

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b.   Big Mountain Solidarity Committee, 124 North San Francisco, Suite B, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001. Ph. (602) 774-6923.

c.   Big Mountain Support Group, 1412 Cypress, Berkeley, California 94703. Ph. (415) 841-6500.

d.   Big Mountain Task Force, P.O. Box 1063, Mendocino, California 95460. Ph. (707) 977-3388.

e.   A.R.E., 27900 Sky View, Willits, California 95490. Ph. (707) 459-4852.

f.    Education Literature Kee Shay, P.O. Box 203, Oraibi, Arizona 86039.

2.   Support the Dennis Banks campaign by circulating a petition (presented at Te Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, 1984) and writing to the following:

a.   Mark Banks, National Director, Dennis Banks Support Committee, 278W. Fourth Street, New York, New York 10014. Ph. (212) 929-2554.

b.   Dennis Banks Congressional Petition, 259A Termino Avenue, Long Beach, California 90803.

3.   Send letters of support for Tohono O'odham Solidarity.

Contact:      Mike Flores,

Sovereign Tohono O'odham Nation,

P.O. Box 2254, Window Rock,

Arizona 86515.

 

10. Belau

Resolutions:

The delegates and participants to Te Hui Oranga o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, in support of the Belau people in their struggle for self-determination, adopt these resolutions:

1.   That the right of the people of Belau for self-determination is an inalienable right and that the government of the United States must recognize this.

2.   We recognize that the people of Belau have exercised their right of self-determination in more than three referendums, and condemn the United States' refusal to recognize the right of the people of Belau.

 

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3.   We, the delegates gathered at Tamaki, Aotearoa, condemn the US government for interfering with and violating the right of the people of Belau to self-determination, and we appeal to the United Nations to see to it that the people of Belau's right to self-determination is respected and honored.

4.   We condemn the US Compact of Free Association and US plans to further militarize the islands of Belau.

Action Proposal:

We resolve to send an indigenous delegate to Belau in July for the Belau sovereignty forum.

 

11. Pakeha Group Resolutions

1.   We recognize that a genuine and effective fight against oppression must involve both a change in our personal attitudes and lifestyles, as well as action in the wider community.

2.   By working towards a Nuclear-Free and Independent Pacific, we commit ourselves to actively support all peoples' rights to self-determination.

3.   By acknowledging Maori as tangata whenua of Aotearoa, we commit ourselves to work within Pakeha-defined groups (especially in the Peace Movement) to get their support for Mana Maori Motuhake as part of an Independent, Nuclear-Free Pacific.

4.   We, as Pakeha, commit ourselves to initiate regional gatherings to establish a working relationship, in struggling for an Independent and Nuclear-Free Pacific.