"Mother Earth is no longer in a period of climate change, but in climate crisis," the declaration says. It calls for indigenous people to be fully respected in all decision making related to climate change, and calls on parties to the Copenhagen conference, this December,  to recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices shared by indigenous people in addressing strategies to mitigate climate change.

The declaration also asks that nations abandon "false solutions" to climate change, including nuclear energy, large-scale dams, clean coal and market-based mechanisms such as carbon trading among nations.

But the hang-up was over the issue of whether there should be a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling and a phase-out of fossil fuels.

The final document contains two options on the issue. One calls for the moratorium where supported by indigenous people.

The other says indigenous people would look to an eventual phase-out in the use of fossil fuels while at the same time respecting the rights of indigenous people to develop their resources.

"I think it is the best compromise we can reach," said Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the Asia representative.

Patricia Cochran, chair of the summit and steering group member, said the one thorny issue was the moratorium but that all other matters were agreed upon.

"I hope we left the room with all of us in agreement," said Cochran, an Inupiaq Eskimo born and raised in Nome.

Source: The Associated Press