American Indian Culture and Research Journal

Recent developments within the United Nations (U.N.) and its subsidiary bodies present opportunities for an unprecedented dialogue on the relationship between States and indigenous peoples and the rights of these peoples under international law. These opportunities may not be pressed to fullest advantage in the United States, however, because knowledge of the U.N.'s work on indigenous rights is not widespread among Native American communities, nor is the U.N. generally viewed as a forum to which they may bring their concern. Indeed, it would be rare for Native American tribes, whose attention is increasingly focused on congressional actions which threaten their political and economic survival, to divert limited resources from domestic issues to the international dialogue on the rights of indigenous peoples. Nevertheless, it is at the international level and within the U.N. that the best hope for long-term protection of indigenous peoples may lie.