What does the future hold for indigenous peoples around the world? There is no clear answer to this question. Every government must review past treatment and current conditions to determine what should [could] be done to improve the lives of their indigenous peoples. The problems of the past are very numerous and specific to each government. These issues include: political power, education, environment, land [territory], intellectual property, poverty and the list goes on. According to Gillette Hall and Harry Anthony Patrinos, “the United Nations proclaimed the period 1995-2004 as the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People” (76). Today, there are still unresolved questions that put the very existence and future of indigenous peoples around the world at stake. To move forward, it is still necessary to look back and review the processes that have improved indigenous livelihoods and what the setbacks have been. If there is to be any change for the betterment of all indigenous people; international society as a whole should develop an agenda to commit to upholding the rights of indigenous peoples. Firstly, the issue of appropriate representation within the body that makes decisions in favor of the rights of indigenous peoples must be addressed, in order to ensure the needs and needs of indigenous peoples are met. The Human Rights Council is the forum where indigenous peoples have the opportunity to share their experiences of marginalization, discrimination and human rights violations; needs to get a louder voice to ensure issues are addressed when reporting. If the problems are not resolved, there is a need for legislation that will punish governments involved in wrongdoing. As a result, the ...... middle of paper ......197. PrintLutz, Ellen. “Indigenous peoples around the world must have water rights. » Global Perspectives: Indigenous Peoples. Ed. Diane Andrews Henningfeld. Detroit – New York – San Francisco – New Haven, Connecticut – Waterville, Maine – London: Greenhaven Press. 2009. 125-134. PrintO'Grady, Anthony. “Aboriginal Australians must protect their ownership of artistic culture. » “Global Perspectives: Indigenous Peoples.” Ed. Diane Andrews Henningfeld. Detroit – New York – San Francisco – New Haven, Connecticut – Waterville, Maine – London: Greenhaven Press. 2009. 198-207. PrintWoodman, Jo, Sophie Grig. “Land loss leads to damage to the health of indigenous peoples.” Global Perspectives: Indigenous Peoples. Ed. Diane Andrews Henningfeld. Detroit – New York – San Francisco – New Haven, Connecticut – Waterville, Maine – London: Greenhaven Press. 2009. 135-146. Print