A/HRC/23/51 - Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights

90
Date
Type
21/08/2012
UA
21/08/2012
UA
Case No
Country Mandate(s) Summary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> allegation transmitted Reply
USA 17/2012
United States <strong>of</strong>
America
USA 18/2012
United States <strong>of</strong>
America
Indigenous peoples; Alleged imminent demolition by <strong>the</strong> United States Army War College, <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> last standing structures connected to <strong>the</strong> former Carlisle Indian Industrial
School, a site <strong>of</strong> deep historical significance to indigenous peoples throughout <strong>the</strong>
country. According to <strong>the</strong> information received, <strong>the</strong> Carlisle Indian Industrial
School, established in 1879 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was <strong>the</strong> first boarding school
to house Native American children outside <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir reservation homelands. After
<strong>the</strong> school closed in 1918, <strong>the</strong> premises were reclaimed by <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army as part
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Carlisle Barracks, however certain parts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school were subsequently
designated as a National Historic Landmark. The farmhouse was excluded from
this designation, despite being actively used for housing and educational purposes
for indigenous children. Recently, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army War College, located at <strong>the</strong>
Carlisle Barracks, announced its plans to raze <strong>the</strong> farmhouse in August or
September <strong>of</strong> 2012 in order to make way for four new housing units for its
personnel. As <strong>the</strong> farmhouse was not designated as a National Historic Landmark
<strong>the</strong> War College is allegedly taking <strong>the</strong> position that does not have to consult with
<strong>the</strong> relevant state agency, nor with interested indigenous peoples.
Indigenous peoples; Alleged imminent sale <strong>of</strong> land located within <strong>the</strong> Black Hills, South Dakota,
considered to be a site <strong>of</strong> great spiritual significance to <strong>the</strong> Lakota, Dakota and
Nakota indigenous peoples. According to <strong>the</strong> information received <strong>the</strong> site known
as Pe‘ Sla is located on <strong>the</strong> Reynolds Prairie in <strong>the</strong> Black Hills, which has been
owned by <strong>the</strong> Reynolds family since <strong>the</strong> 1870s. Over <strong>the</strong> years, members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>
owners <strong>of</strong> Reynolds Prairie had permitted Sioux peoples to enter <strong>the</strong> land and
conduct <strong>the</strong>ir traditional ceremonies at Pe‘ Sla, however recently, <strong>the</strong> family
recently announced its intention to sell some land during a land sale auction on 25
August 2012. The Lakota, Dakota and Nakota indigenous peoples fear <strong>the</strong> sale
may result in restrictions on future access to Pe‘ Sla. There is also concern over <strong>the</strong>
state <strong>of</strong> South Dakota‘s reported intention to pave a gravel road through Pe‘ Sla, in
order to facilitate logging and recreational activities in <strong>the</strong> area. Reportedly <strong>the</strong>
Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples have begun a fundraising effort in order to
recover this sacred site.
04/02/2013
02/01/2013
A/<strong>HRC</strong>/<strong>23</strong>/<strong>51</strong>