My name is Giancarlo Barbadoro, Chairperson of the Ecospirituality Foundation and Representative of the Breton traditional community of "Menhirs Libres", of Carnac, French.
I am here to speak for this traditional community of "Menhirs Libres", that wishes to present to this Assembly an appeal for help to support of spiritual identity of Native europeans.
The historical framework of the circumstances and the vicissitudes of the indigenous peoples of our planet is well known.
They have repeatedly been subjected to tragedies of every kind, generally caused by the majority society and even today they are battling to have their rights recognised and to be able to freely manifest their traditions in a climate of respect for their cultural identity.
These deeds do not only occur in the areas of the planet that the majority society has colonised, but have also taken place in continental Europe where tragic events have transpired that are not dissimilar to those experienced in other parts of the planet.
Even on the European continent, before the historical powers annihilated them, there were indigenous peoples who possessed traditions substantially similar to the remainder of the planet.
The native Europeans, like the natives all over the planet, do originate from, nor do they identify themselves with the cultures born of the great historical religions. They have their own specific traditions and they have continued to exist in silence, alongside the dominant majority culture and they are proud of their non-religious identity.
The official history of these native Europeans apparently concluded when they were forcibly integrated into the dominant culture, which exterminated their cultural leaders and cancelled the traces of their cultural identity.
Today the dominant cultures on the European continent deny the fact that native Europeans still exist and relegate their manifestations to the display cabinets of archaeological museums.
But in fact, even nowadays the native Europeans represent a dynamic culture with a strong presence in European history. Even today they offer witness to their historical existence in the sacredness attributed to the megalithic monuments scattered all over the European continent, through the teaching of myths, the continuity of their music and through the popular culture that preserves the ancient customs.
For this reason we ask this Forum to dedicate attention to the historical situation and that the identity of the European natives who survived the tragedies of history should be safeguarded so that they can preserve their culture and the free and open practice of their customs.
In the hope that it will thus be possible to guarantee to all those who want to reveal themselves and declare themselves as such will be able to leave the silent shadow of history to freely manifest their identity and practice in an equally free manner their traditions and their culture, while still respecting the other majority cultures.
With this action it would be possible to morally compensate for the historical injustices suffered by the native Europeans. What is more, this would allow the native Europeans to give their precious contribution to the cultural heritage of humanity as a whole, enriching it through new cultural contacts and new challenges for the spirit.
Today the ancient cultures of the native Europeans survive in autochthonous communities that keep the reference to the ancient European traditions alive. Their sacred places are still used for religious and social rites.
In France, at Carnac (Bretagne), one of these traditional communities exists, but it is subject to intimidations and prevented from the practice of its free spiritual identity and is asking for help.
Although the French state does not foresee identities other than its integral national character, this community, who we could call native Europeans, bound by its thousand-year-old traditions, nonetheless claims its own specific identity and asks for access to the megalithic area that it considers a sacred place, millenary symbol of its identity - access which is currently denied, just as freedom for its traditional use is denied.
The megalithic area at Carnac was confiscated by the French government with the excuse of preserving it from damage by tourists; it has been fenced off and the traditional community living in the area is prevented from gaining free access to the place.
Since 1991 the inhabitants have been prevented from entering the area, due to a project that foresees the transformation of the site in an archaeological park for commercial purposes. The traditional Breton community is not resigned to losing this ancient reference point and has undertaken a protest that has now been underway for fifteen years.
The protest is led by the movement "Menhirs Libres" the voice of the Breton community. A protest that has become increasingly forceful as time has passed.
Cèline Mary, chairwoman of "Menhirs Libres", states: "This place has always been inhabited and now the government wants to transform it into a museum. This means depriving it of life, stripping it of all meaning. The menhir have always been a living place and they must continue to be so for ever."
The traditional Breton community is aware that if they should lose the moral relationship with the symbol represented by the megalithic site, they would risk losing, after thousands of years of historical continuity, their cultural, spiritual and social identity.
If this were to happen, apart from the continental European soul, the whole of humanity would be uselessly deprived for ever of a traditional testimony of its roots in the loss of the precious spiritual heritage represented by the historical community of Carnac.

Thank you, Mr President
I thank all of you for listening to my appeal.

Representative:
- of the Breton "Menhirs Libres" Community of Brittany
- of the Apache Survival Coalition of Arizona
- of the Wiran Aboriginal Corporation of Australia
- of the Confrérie Mbog-Parlement, Cameroun
- of the United Confederation of Taino People, Caribbean

Thank you Ms. Chairperson,

We will present a joint declaration for the three Indigenous Communities that we represent.
The Ecospirituality Foundation's principle objective is the protection of Indigenous Peoples' traditional knowledge and sacred lands.
The Communities that we represent high-light three emblematic cases of violation of Indigenous People's spiritual rights.

The first case regards the Apache San Carlos, Arizona.
With the charge given to us by Ola Cassadore, President of the Apache Survival Coalition, we ask for help in defending Mount Graham, the Apache People's desecrated top sacred site, menaced by the construction of a challenged international astronomical observatory. The Apaches have been protesting for 16 years, but despite the many appeals and the support of indigenous and non-indigenous organizations all over the world, Mount Graham continues being desecrated and menaced and the Apaches deprived of their rights to a sacred place.
Mount Graham, which the Apaches call Dzill Nchaa Si'An, plays a basic role in the traditional knowledge of this People and has always been a sacred place for them, as a spiritual and therapeutic reference point. This is the mountain where the Apaches find the herbs, waters and plants they need to practice their medical cures and has always been used by them for collective rites and individual prayers, basic for their culture and religion.
This sacred mountain is however menaced by the construction of an international astronomical observatory, a project shared by the Vatican and the Italian Government-financed Arcetri Observatory as well as the University of Arizona.
Many of the project sponsors, due to international protest and the poor visibility of the site, have withdrawn.
The Apaches appealed against this totally illegal development ever since they came to know of the project some 16 years ago, and demonstrations opposing the project were organized even before one single tree was cut down or one mine exploded. Four years ago, the Apache Survival Coalition founded the Western Apache group that unites all West Apache Tribes to support the San Carlos Apaches in protecting Mount Graham. The Western Apaches have met the Forest Service quite often over these past years, to obtain addition of the mountain to the National Register of Historic Places due to its basic religious importance. The application was in line with the qualifications of the National Historic Preservation Act; but the Forest Service has not actually nominated this site to the Register, although it is their responsibility.
Mount Graham continues to be desecrated and the Apache continue to be excluded from their sacred mountain.

Our second case regards the Wamba Wamba Nation, which includes all of Australia's North Western clans.
On behalf of Garry Murray, president of the Wiran Aboriginal Corporation and head of the Wamba Wamba Nation we appeal about the genocide by stealth of both Commonwealth and State Governments in Australia who continue to erode Indigenous rights to self determination, the protection of their cultural heritage and the rights to their lands and waters.
Therefore, we appeal for:

The final case that we wish to bring to this Forum's attention regards a European Indigenous Community that is currently unable to freely exercise their spiritual identity.
Even on the European continent, before the historical powers annihilated them, there were indigenous peoples who possessed traditions substantially similar to the remainder of the planet. Even today they offer witness to their historical existence in the sacredness attributed to the megalithic monuments scattered all over the European continent, through the teaching of myths, the continuity of their music and through the popular culture that preserves the ancient customs.
In France, at Carnac (Brittany), one of these traditional communities exists, but it is subject to intimidations and prevented from the practice of its free spiritual identity and is asking for help.
The megalithic area at Carnac was confiscated by the French government with the motivation of preserving it from damage by tourists; it has been fenced off and the traditional community living in the area is prevented from gaining free access to the place.
Since 1991 the inhabitants have been prevented from entering the area, due to a project that foresees the transformation of the site in an archaeological park for commercial purposes. The traditional Breton community is not resigned to losing this ancient reference point and has undertaken a protest that has now been underway for fifteen years.
The protest is led by the movement "Menhirs Libres" the voice of the Breton community. A protest that has become increasingly forceful as time has passed.
Cèline Mary, chairwoman of "Menhirs Libres", states: "This place has always been inhabited and now the government wants to transform it into a museum. This means depriving it of life, stripping it of all meaning. The menhir have always been a living place and they must continue to be so for ever."

The violation of an Indigenous Peoples' Sacred Site means the survival of their identity is at risk. We feel that every Population has the right to preserve their traditional knowledge and their religious beliefs.
We believe the identity of Native Peoples is based on their traditional knowledge, which preserves their points of reference for their history and spirituality and without which their invaluable inheritance is bound to disappear altogether, with dire consequences for all individuals.

Thank you, Ms. Chairperson.

Thank you Mr. Chairman,

I am here to speak for the Breton traditional community of "Menhirs Libres", that wishes to present to this Assembly an appeal for help to support of spiritual identity of Native europeans.
It is not common to speak of the Indigenous peoples of Europe, because we generally think that Indigenous peoples exist only on other continents, and because there is nothing that physically distinguishes them from those who are not indigenous peoples.
History has mixed them up with national powers born from processes of forced integration, starting with the persecutions of the Roman Empire and the subsequent cultural absorption of Christianity, up to today's order of the modern states of Europe. However, many of these cultures still exist today and their people continue to practise their ancient traditions in a dignified and proud silence, in no way contradicting nor opposing the course of history, shared by majority cultures.
In France, at Carnac, there is one of these traditional communities, whose people are today subjected to intimidations and are not permitted to freely exercise their spiritual identity. These people are asking you for help.
Even though the French State does not provide for identities different from its national integrity, the people of this community, which could be defined as Native europeans, tied to their ancient millenary traditions, declare their specific identity and ask that access be restored to the megalithic area that they have always believed to be their sacred site, the symbol for thousands of years of their identity. Access to the site today is closed to them along with its free traditional uses.
It is a type of situation that is not new; it replicates what has been happening for years in Arizona where the Apache Indians are no longer allowed by the American Government free access to Mount Graham, for thousands of years considered by them a sacred site of worship.
The megalithic area of Carnac in question has been requisitioned by the French government, which, with the pretext of preserving it from the damage of tourism, has fenced it in with metal structures and has forbidden the people who live in the area to have free access to the site.
For the inhabitants of Carnac, and for Bretons in general, the megalithic site of the "alignments" of Menhir is a spiritual and cultural reference point. For centuries the inhabitants celebrated among the Menhirs all their principal ceremonies, from weddings to funerals, from baptisms to the investiture of their Druids. City assemblies were held there, among the Menhir, as well as their cultural, artistic and religious events.
Beyond the declared intentions to safeguard the megalithic site, the French government has also planned to transform the site into a theme entertainment park, attempting an extensive expropriation of land and homes, in agreement with a United States company, to set up a large residence for tourists and vacationers. Already now, around the site, they have begun setting up games and commercial structures, that have purposes little to do with archaeology.
The traditional community of Carnac immediately declared its opposition to the intentions of the French government, and since the 1970s, its people have been combating to prevent this project from being carried out.
Many protest demonstrations have been organised, but up to now they have had no effect and the site is still today surrounded by a fence of metal bars.
This action of the French State has provoked protests not only from the traditional community of Carnac, but also from scholars, who from all over Europe, used to visit the site to study and perform research on the roots of ancient Europe.
The traditional community of Carnac is asking for your help. The people do not pretend that the site should not be protected for its archaeological value. They are asking simply that the construction project be blocked, and that the metal barrier surrounding the site be removed - the barrier that excludes them from the place which for them is sacred.
The native people are desperate, because they are aware that if they lose the moral and spiritual relationship with the symbol represented by this megalithic site, they will risk losing, after thousands of years of historical continuity, their particular moral and social identity.
If this should happen, not only the soul of continental Europe, but we believe, all humanity would find futilely impoverished forever a traditional testimony of its roots, in the loss of the precious spiritual legacy of the historical community of Carnac.

Thank you Mr. President.

Thank you everybody for listening to this appeal.

Thank you Mr. Chairman,

Ecospirituality Foundation has spoken out several times here at the United Nations in support of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in general and, in particular, the San Carlos Apaches in their fight to defend their sacred site, Mt. Graham.
Today we stand before this Assembly to plead that we should not forget the identity and the cultural demands of Native Europeans, who, alongside so many other Indigenous Peoples, are experiencing the same difficulties in facing up to life in a world shared with majority-ruled societies.
Our plea is inspired by the right of every autonomous People to declare themselves as such, without being discriminated against or treated as outcasts, free to carry on leading their own traditional existences.
The presence of Indigenous Peoples, with all their own particular cultural attributes, is also a feature of the continent of Europe. Just as with the Native Peoples of the other continents, the traditions of Native Europeans call to mind the cultural heritage they are based on, a source of civilisation with a fair and morally dignified social structure. They established an ancient culture, rich in knowledge and art, that was in no way inferior to others of its time, such as in Egypt or the Andes.
This peaceful cultural tradition still survives today, after resisting enforced integration by the various power groups that have succeeded one another down through the history of this continent. Today it remains as a fragmented population, split into many separate communities spread across the European continent, who are intimidated by the persecutions they have suffered and seek protection to allow them to demonstrate their cultural identity and live freely according to its moral values of brotherhood, respect for the individual and free knowledge.
It is a forgotten People, trying to re-establish itself within the visible history of this millennium and to make its own contribution to the destiny of humankind. The cultural contribution, based on freedom and brotherhood, survives today in the arts, music, the religious practices into which it has been co-opted, myths and the common memory of the manner of being of many Europeans.
There are Peoples in Europe who are fighting for the survival of their cultural identity and the protection of their religious rights and sacred lands. At the moment in Carnac, Brittany, in the North West of France, there is a population fighting to defend its cultural heritage and, just as in the case of Mt. Graham, the San Carlos Apache sacred mountain in Arizona, they are having to fight for free access to their own sacred sites and to protect their environment.
In Carnac the fight has been going on for more than thirteen years. That is, since the French state decided to fence in the megalithic site, considered among the most extensive and well-known in the world, effectively denying use of it to its inhabitants.
The megalithic site of Carnac is a traditional heritage, representing the inheritance from a remote past thousands of years old and is the highest spiritual and cultural reference point for the local inhabitants.
For those inhabitants, the megalithic site of Carnac is central to their cultural and social identity, linked to their traditions. For centuries they have been accustomed to regarding their megalithic site as a sacred site, where they can celebrate all their important ceremonies, citizens' assemblies and cultural, artistic and religious events.
Then, in 1991, the French Government passed a project for the construction of an enormous tourist centre, denying free access to the site for the local citizens and expropriating all buildings standing on the site.
After more than ten years of fierce protests by the inhabitants of Carnac, the project has partly been stopped, but they are still denied access to the site and there are fears that other new projects may violate the sacredness of the site. We bring this request in their name, as spokespeople for their hopes, that this Assembly should listen to their plea to be granted respect for their cultural identity and the right to take their place in history alongside the majority-ruled society, which even today still tries to set itself above the other native populations of this planet.

Thank you Mr. President.

Thank you everybody for listening to this appeal.