Deskaheh Levi General is considered the first Indigenous Person to have raised the issue of loss of autonomy and dispossession of First Nations by colonizing states at the international level.
This exhibition traces his journey and the development of relations between the City of Geneva and Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
Directed by Haudenosaunee curator Dr Jolene Rickardwith the support of the Center for Documentation, Research and Information of Indigenous Peoples (Docip), and the City of Geneva, this exhibition is made up of photo panels presenting Swiss and North American archival documents that illustrate Deskaheh’s journey as well as the history and culture of the Haudenosaunee.
It shows how Deskaheh has become a symbol of the struggle of Indigenous Peoples for their sovereignty and talks about the development of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Geneva, from the League of Nations to the UN.
This exhibition is part of aseries of events celebrating the centenary of Deskaheh’s arrival in Geneva.
Inauguration and march of Indigenous Peoples on July 18
On July 18 at 7 pm, the Mayor of Geneva, Alfonso Gomezwill inaugurate the exhibition Deskaheh at the Quai Wilson with the current holder of the title Deskaheh, Steve Jacobs, who will come to Geneva with a delegation of representatives of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
The inauguration will be preceded by a public market with indigenous delegates from around the world, at the UN for the session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. From 6:15 pm, the participants will assemble at Place des Nations and the procession will leave at 6:30 pm to arrive at Quai Wilson at 7 pm.
