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How the working group (AKIN) was established
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In 1980, the Russell Tribunal was held in Rotterdam/Holland about "Native
Rights in both Americas". There were a lot of activities before, and
after this tribunal relating to "Indians" all around Europe. In
Austria it became obvious that a certain group of people was specifically
interested and motivated and in spring of 1981 they agreed on forming a working
group. Since then AKIN is meeting only with short interruptions every monday to
exchange information, plan activities and to prepare publications.
The members of the working circle have totally different backgrounds, in age and
profession. Each member can contribute in the area, in which he or she is good
at and/or interested in. So everybody is welcome!
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The Background of the Support Group Activities back
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North American "Indians" are a part of
what is referred to as "Indigenous Peoples" in international legal
terms. It is typical for their situation - and also for similar groups in other
continents - that the governments of the countries they are living in, for
different reasons put extreme pressure on the sovereignty and thereby the way of
life of these people by violating human rights - not the least because of
resources and because they simply may stand in the way of "progress".
Neither are they accepted as seperate peopleS
with the right of self-determination (or maybe only on paper) nor can they
profit from any form of international development policy and development aid.
They do not constitute states (development policy and aid is a process between
states, not peopleS) and - in the case of North American "Indians" -
live within industrialized countries. Thus, Native Americans have no formal
chance to get anything out of official international support and
institutions.
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Public Relations
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In Europe very strong stereotypes exist
about "Indians", which are very different from those in North America.
Basically it is the "noble savage" cliché which constitutes as a
barrier for their internaional work. Eventhough they are more positive
stereotypes, the motivation to support the cause depends strongly on how the
"Indian" delegations meet these stereotypes. Thus, the reduction
of these stereotypes and at the same time the correction of information,
officially supplied by the North American governments about the
"Indian" situation today, are important tasks for the group.
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If possible from an organisational point of view, "Indians" themselves
are to be given the chance to speak about their problems and activities at
press-conferences, interviews, in schools or at other public presentations.
These events are organized by the group, which sees itself as a mediator between
"Indian" wishes and the Austrian public.
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Direct Support
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Direct support may mean fundraising to give
financial contributions to "Indian" politicians for fight for
the rights of their people. Unfortunately there is little understanding,
how important it is to give money for more abstract issues, like court
cases, land- or water rights, travelling costs etc. There is even less
understanding that it needs money to run a group like ours.
Another form of support is the sending of petitions and letters, the
texts of which in most cases have been composed together with the
"Indian" groups concerns in mind. From time to time AKIN is
organizing demonstrations, when asked by "Indian" people. Some
of the major demonstrations were for the Lubicon Cree (Alberta/Canada),
the Mohawks (Quebec/Canada) and the Wisconsin Chippewa (USA).
At information desks the group sells various items, the profit of which
is used to support specific "Indian" projects-as little as it
may be. All moneys are directly transferred to "Indian projects or
handed to "Indians" personally when in Europe.
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Another task
of the working circle is looking for support from Austrian politicians
and the government to put some kind of moral pressure on the North American governments and the important bodies of the UN. Over the years
we were able to set up quite a number of such meetings even on the
highest political level (Federal Chancellor, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Education etc.)
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Cultural Exchange back
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Cultural exchange is sort of a long-range strategy to intensify and
improve cultural relationships between nations in Europe and
"Indian" Nations in North America. It should lead to a better
mutual understanding - a better basis for political work. Eventhough -for
financial reasons -this area is the hardest to accoplish, the working
group is able to list quite a few successes:
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- Visit of 3 students of the Oglala Lakota College in Austrian children holiday
camps (1982)
- forest training courses for students of the Oglala Lakota College (1986, 1988)
- Cultural events of "Indian" artists (e.g. a reading of
the Cheyenne poet Lance Henson, 1987)
- Educational trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation of the Oglala Lakota (since 1988;
together with the Lakota Treaty Council)
- Fotoexibition in connection with the Massacre at Wounded Knee(1890-1990)
- Visit of 3 journalism students for research in Vienna (summer
1997)
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International Cooperation back
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Beside the cooperation between our
support group and "Indian" people there is another form of
international cooperation - between the European support groups
themselves.
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Since 1985 European support groups, especially in the German
speaking areas of Europe are in close contact, exchange information,
coordinate and plan actions.
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Financing of the activities back
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Since all the expenses are borne by the
group itself, AKIN usually has a tight budget. Most of the money is
needed for copying, phoning, and postal charges as well as possible
traveling costs of native delegates.
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