Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) There are an estimated 476,000,000 Indigenous Peoples worldwide who share a common heritage of collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they and their ancestors live or have lived together with their own unique cultures, languages and traditions. (2) The Indigenous Peoples of the world also share a common challenge and goal of preserving and protecting their ancestral lands and natural resources and unique cultures, languages and traditions. (3) The status, rights, challenges and goals of Indigenous Peoples worldwide have been recognized by various international organizations, including by the United Nations in its September 13, 2007, Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (4) The United States should expand its direct engagement with Indigenous Peoples worldwide in order to better assist Indigenous Peoples to achieve their goals and focus on common challenges and opportunities.