(Summary at the bottom)

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is a yearly and global awareness day, observed on 9th of August. It’s main purpose is to raise awareness, but also to celebrate different indigenous cultures and to protect indigenous peoples human rights. This day was started in 1994 by the United Nations General Assembly.

 

 

The estimate is, that there are anything in between of 250 million and 750 million indigenous people worldwide, and they make up around 5000 different groups. Some estimates even reach a billion. Indigenous peoples inhabit all places of the world.

There are many definitions of the term ”indigenous peoples”, and there isn’t just one single agreed one. United Nations, UNESCO and Amnesty International have presented the following definition:

• Self-identification as indigenous peoples at the individual level and accepted by the community as their member.
• Historical continuity with pre-colonial and or pre-settler societies
• Strong links to territories and surrounding natural resources
• Distinct social, economic and political system
• Distinct language, culture and beliefs
• Form non-dominant groups of society
• Resolve to maintain and reproduce their ancestral environments and systems as distinctive peoples and communities

https://whc.unesco.org/en/glossary/275

 

Some indigenous peoples might prefer to be referred by their tribe or ethnic group, by first peoples or first nations, or aborginals.

While many indigenous peoples have experienced colonization by European settlers, this is not a criteria for the indigenous identity. It is good to note that an ethnicity doesn’t need to be officially recognized in order to count as indigenous. There are indigenous peoples who have no contact with the modern society, as well as those who lack legal recognition and protection, despite of declarations and actions taken to protect and preserve indigenous peoples and cultures. Some governments completely deny the existence of indigenous peoples in the country like in Bangladesh with their over 54 indigenous ethnic groups, or the government might fail to recognize all indigenous peoples, like in Finland and Russia with the Karelians.

 

 

As indigenous peoples are a varied and large group, so are the issues and concerns. Some issues are experienced by a wider population, while same are more specific to an isolated group. Generally the issues are racism and discrimination, loss of natural resources and inhibited areas either to climate change or the actions of the state, and loss of culture, language and identity to assimilation, continuing colonization and cultural appropriation.

Some groups experience increased risk of poverty and health issues, and some indigenous women are in increased risk of violence, murder and kidnapping compared to non-native women, such as in Canada.

As indigenous peoples all around the world are in a need of everyone’s support, there are some things many of us can do.

 

 

How to support indigenous peoples

• Donate to trusted indigenous organizations
• Shop and support indigenous ran and owned businesses
• Educate yourself of indigenous identities, cultures and issues
• Listen, learn and amplify indigenous voices
• Support indigenous rights through politics
• Spread information on social media
• Learn history regarding your local indigenous peoples

 

 

Definitions

 

Colonialism & colonization - When another nation that holds more power forcibly takes over another land, area or people. This follows with some or all of these: forcing natives to work, stealing resources, forcing new customs, culture and laws on the natives.

The goal of colonialism is to make the settler colony stronger in power, seized land and wealth.

 

Assimilation - Can happen by choice or force. Force includes coersion and pressure as well. When done by force, this means the colonising nation is forcing a colonized nation to change their culture, traditions, habits, customs and language to the ruling nation’s culture. If they refused, they could be shun and shamed at the least and at the worst, they could’ve been murdered by the colonialists.

 

 

Summary

• 9th of August is the international day of the world’s indigenous peoples
• It is a day to celebrate indigenous peoples, cultures and languages, but also to raise awareness and concerns
• Indigenous peoples are a diverse group of people, who all have their cultures rooted in their pre-colonial and pre-settler societies
• Many Indigenous peoples face issues such as racism, discrimination, loss of land and natural resources, and the loss of their culture and languages.
• You can support Indigenous peoples by educating, listening to Indigenous voices, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations, and standing up for Indigenous rights.

 

With love,
The Inclusivity Group