Indigenous Peoples’ Rights are Human Rights Program

          The IPRHRP focuses on the fundamental freedoms of Kanaka Maoli. HIHR assists in the translation of international law instruments into the host indigenous language Olelo Hawaii. HIHR also teaches the techniques of nonviolence protest and the tactics of international human rights legal defense to protect and promote traditional rights. HIHR also provides community trainings to provide skills and strategies to right the human wrongs of the past and the perpetuation of current racism in philosophy, practice and policy. HIHR defends human rights from the university to universal instiutions focusing on restorative justice promoting elimination of racial discrimination.

          HIHR hosts indigenous leaders from around the world to Hawaii to share the struggles of self-determination. Ainu, Aboriginie, Belau, Cree, Cordillera, Dene, Gwichin, Inuit, Karen, Maohi, Maori, Mayan, Mohawk, Mon, Oglala, Ogoni, Saami, Tibet, Timor Leste, Yupiak, West Papua, Western Shoshone have all been welcomed here in Hawaii to discuss common cultural practices and cosmologies while constructing relationships of solidarity across oceans.

          HIHR also brings the movements for sovereignty in Hawaii together to speak to students and community through the Self-Determination Summit and Seminar Project. HIHR hosts educational events for the various leaders in Hawaii to share the same stage and propose possible collaboration toward preserving culture and promoting positive change.

          HIHR sparked Amnesty International to create an Indigenous Peoples Task Force.  HIHR chaired the body hosting conferences at the birthplace of the American Indian Movement in Minnesota bringing together indigenous and non-indigenous youth in a partnership for peace. HIHR created the report on four cases of human rights violations in the Americas and chaired a panel presenting the findings at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. HIHR has also assisted the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights secretariat in its functions to promote the fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples.

          HIHR offers trainings to indigenous peoples at the United Nations in New York and Geneva.  HIHR also assist the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization providing peace and human rights trainings to its members in their respective homelands around the world.