Durbanville Declaration on foundation nations

“WE, INDIGENOUS people from South Africa and other lands, have visited our own hearts. As we acknowledge all the elements of our journey, we make an urgent call on the nations of the world to restore truth and together to rebuild the human family by recognising the pain and trauma that the world’s oldest foundational nations have suffered.

“Together, we are called to take responsibility to correct this grave injustice. As children of the ancients, travelling our own journey of healing with full knowledge and acknowledgement of all that has been broken and lost, we take responsibility for our destiny by embracing our indigenousness and accept that there will be no stability in the human family until the foundation nations are restored to full life and dignity.

“In confronting the destruction of the past and the present, we urgently invite the nations of the world to convene an international Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will examine grave abuses of human rights committed against indigenous peoples worldwide, where the story can be told and appropriate restorative action taken to redress the grave injustices and to bring healing and new hope.

“In this journey towards the healing of the indigenous peoples, we celebrate the resilience of the foundation nations whose fight for justice and truth continues to inspire all, and in the words of Ma Elsie Vaalbooi, great leader of the Kalahari San, the indigenous people of the world seek ‘land, water and truth’, as the main elements of healing.”