Has the US government done enough to reconcile injustices committed against Native American tribes? We'll ask James Anaya, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, who has recommended the government return some of the lands stolen from native tribes.

The United Nations has been working to prevent the deterioration of indigenous societies around the world due to colonisation, loss of territory, and the second-class status many indigenous people hold. International laws and guidelines regarding the protection of indigenous communities are being promoted and adopted by some countries in the hopes of reversing the effects of past actions and policies against native peoples.

A recent UN human rights inquiry – the first of its kind in the US – also documents the challenges faced by today’s indigenous communities, which suffer from disproportionately high rates of poverty and violence.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to:

James Anaya @UNSR_JamesAnaya
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People
unsr.jamesanaya.org

Sherry Black @ncai1944
Director for Tribal Governance, National Congress of American Indians
ncai.org

What do you think? Is the US living up to the standards of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? What needs to change?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below or record a 30-second video.