The Palenque Declaration

“We the Indigenous Nations, Peoples, tribes, pueblos, communities, villages, situated within the geopolitical boundaries claimed by the nation-states of Mexico, Canada, and the United States hereby make this declaration and urgent message to the world on the basis of our spirituality and the natural biological Laws of Life on Mother Earth, the Sacred Life-Giver…”

The delegates at the Convening of Indigenous Peoples for the Healing of Mother Earth present the Palenque Declaration.

The Declaration is intended to capture both the spirit and content of the discussions that unfolded throughout the gathering.  This proclamation creates a legacy for future work and marks what Convening delegates hope will be the start of ongoing partnerships among indigenous peoples living throughout Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.  This is a living document that will be continuously revisited for improvement and to reflect changing global circumstances.

Click here to see the text of the Palenque Declaration

The declaration was written and reviewed throughout the course of the Convening.  The final version of the declaration, the Message of the Living Spirit of the Convening of Indigenous

Peoples for the Healing of Mother Earth at the Cultural Territory of the Maya, was adopted by the delegation on the last day of the convening.  This message was presented to upwards of 40 media representatives, guests and government representatives from Canada, Mexico and the United States during the Official Closing ceremony.  Julian Dominguez Lopez Portillo, Secretary of Environment, Urban Development and Housing of the State of Chiapas spoke during the Official Closing ceremony, offering his support for the statement.  Adrian Vazquez, CEC Executive Director and Mr. Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, SEMARNAT Minister also offered closing remarks.

Click here to see Adrian Vazquez, CEC Executive Director closing remarks
Click here to see Mr. Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, SEMARNAT Minister closing remarks