Lesson 7: UNDRIP in Action
Rights, Responsibilities, and the Global Law of the Land
Lesson Overview
Focus
Understanding the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Key Concept
Tino Rangatiratanga (Self-Determination)
Outcome
Students apply UNDRIP articles to real-world cases.
Karakia Timatanga | Cultural Opening
"Ko te mana me te tika"
Power and Right (Justice).
Rights are not just words on paper. They are like the roots of a tree (Te Aka Matua) — they hold the land together and allow the people to stand strong against the storm.
Phase 1: The Rights Framework (15 mins)
📜 Decoding UNDRIP
The UN Declaration has 46 articles. We focus on the "Big Four" themes.
1. Self-Determination
Article 3: Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own political status and pursue their own development.
"We decide for ourselves."
2. Land & Resources
Article 26: Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned.
"Land Back."
3. Culture & Language
Article 13: Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages and oral traditions.
"Our voice, our way."
4. Consent (FPIC)
Article 19: States must obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent before adopting measures that may affect them.
"Nothing about us without us."
Phase 2: Global Case Studies (25 mins)
🌍 From Paper to Practice
Investigate how these rights are fought for in real life. Rotate through the stations.
🇺🇸 Station 1: Standing Rock
Issue: Oil Pipeline vs Water Protection.
Right at Stake: FPIC & Land (Article 26, 32).
🇳🇴 Station 2: Sámi Reindeer Herders
Issue: Wind Farms on grazing land.
Right at Stake: Culture & Economy (Article 20).
🇳🇿 Station 3: Ihumātao
Issue: Housing development on sacred land.
Right at Stake: Spiritual connection to land (Article 25).
Use the Case Study Snapshot Pack to gather evidence.
Phase 3: The Minister's Briefing (20 mins)
⚖️ Advise the Government
You are a policy advisor. The government wants to approve a new project on Indigenous land. Write a brief memo advising them on their obligations under UNDRIP.
Memo Checklist:
- ✅ Have you engaged with the correct leaders? (Self-Determination)
- ✅ Have you obtained Free, Prior, and Informed Consent? (FPIC)
- ✅ Does this impact cultural transmission? (Culture)
- ✅ Recommendation: Proceed, Pause, or Cancel?
Whakamutunga | Reflection
Question: Why is it important that these rights are recognized globally, not just locally?
Kaua e takahia te mana o te tangata. (Do not trample on the mana of the people.)