International Day of The World's Indigenous People

The  International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on August 9 pays  tribute to the indigenous communities of the world. The latest data  reveals that there are about 370 to 500 million indigenous people living  in 90 countries. These communities are noted to have their own unique  set of languages, traditions, cultures, and governing systems. For many  indigenous groups, the systems that their ancestors have followed for  centuries have stood the test of time by serving them with positive  outcomes to date. Many indigenous people’s special bond and connection  with nature have also led to the protection of the general environment.  However, on the other side, several indigenous communities face  difficulties due to a central government’s covert and overt attempts to  control their lives. This has led to indigenous people’s rights  violations where they would have otherwise ensured peaceful and  harmonious lives for them.

History of International Day of The World's Indigenous People

The  first International Day of the World’s Indigenous People was officially  celebrated in August 1995. The day had been brought into existence when  the 49/214 resolution was passed by the U.N. General Assembly on  December 23, 1994. August 9 was chosen as the commemorative date because  that was when the first meeting of the U.N. Working Group on Indigenous  Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of  Human Rights was held. Every year, the day is honored by governments and  organizations holding education forums and conferences to meet and  discuss the social issues faced by indigenous groups worldwide. People  are also given information on any ongoing and/or upcoming activities and  projects that are being undertaken to help the target communities.  Every year, the theme changes to shed light on a pressing topic, and the  theme for the year 2021 was ‘Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples  and the call for a new social contract.’

The social contract theme  is a call for accountability in the general populations’ interaction  with the indigenous communities and their resources. Over the years,  many indigenous groups have found themselves to be on a disadvantageous  terrain in the face of urban development projects that have destroyed  and denigrated their lands and territories. The central governments and  builders involved in such projects never sought permission from or even  spoke with the indigenous communities before they took the developmental  steps. Organizations and agencies like the U.N. and UNESCO have made  efforts for constitutional/legislative reforms for dominant indigenous  groups. Yet, the efforts must be focussed on bringing everyone together  in the cause, leaving none behind.

International Day of The World's Indigenous People timeline

1982 First U.N. Meeting on Indigenous People

The  U.N. holds the first meeting on indigenous people by forming the U.N.  Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the  Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

1995 International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

The first International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is celebrated by the U.N. General Assembly.

2005 - 2015 Indigenous People’s Decade

The U.N. proclaims 2005 to 2015 to be the ‘Decade of Action and Dignity’ for the indigenous communities.

2019 Indigenous Languages Year

After  a startling 2016 report on the danger of more than 2,000 indigenous  becoming extinct, the U.N. declares 2019 to be the International Year of  Indigenous Languages in order to create awareness.

How To Observe International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

Learn about indigenous groups

Learn an indigenous language

Stand by indigenous groups

History  related to indigenous people is always interesting to read and learn  about. They have their own sets of beliefs, customs, languages, and  cultures. Their daily lifestyles are also often connected with nature,  be it animals, trees, certain plants, or lakes/rivers.

The  U.N. declared the years 2022 to 2032 the decade for indigenous  languages. The goal is to bring to attention the dying languages, since  most of them are not taught in schools or are used by the general  public. Losing a language is losing an important facet of the history  and culture of a people.

The  best way to celebrate this day and the rest of the year is by vowing to stand by indigenous groups. The indigenous people have the right to  freely choose however they wish to live, much like any other living  being on this planet. Protecting their rights also in turn protects your rights in the long run.

5 Interesting Facts About Indigenous People

80% of the world’s biodiversity

4,000 indigenous languages

High poverty rates

Short life spans

Leaders in protecting the environment

Around 80% of the world’s biodiversity is in places where indigenous groups are living.

The 5,000 indigenous communities in the world are credited with having about 4,000 languages.

While  the indigenous communities account for only 5% of the world’s  population, they make up 15% of the world population that is living in  poverty.

Indigenous  communities, due to a lack of awareness, have shorter life spans as  they die of preventable diseases like malaria and H.I.V.

Studies have shown that the fauna and flora, and biodiversity thrive and flourish where indigenous people reside.

Why International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is Important

It’s a celebration of indigenous people

It’s a celebration of indigenous languages

It’s a celebration of the freedom to live

Indigenous  people form an essential and crucial part of not only our planet’s  history, but also how human beings have come to make systems to lead  fruitful lives. The indigenous people’s cultures, customs, and  traditions are interesting to learn about for their uniqueness and for  what they teach us about the universe and the bigger picture.

Language,  at its core, builds the identity of a people. The involvement of the  different phonetics, grammar rules, and formal/informal styles can tell  one a lot about where a community has come from, and how their history  has shaped them. The same is the case with indigenous languages. The  problem lies in their endangerment, and this is why we must strive to  preserve them.

The  freedom to practice our rights on a piece of land that has shaped our  communities for centuries should not be taken away from anyone. The  freedom to practice our customs, traditions, and general lifestyles is  another important aspect of living a worthwhile life. For these very  reasons and many others, we should join indigenous people in their right  to live and flourish however they like.

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But of course they get used to it, repeating itself day after day, the same way they get used to me doing something with their litter box. So nowadays they patiently watch me as I sweep away the stray litter, up unto the dustpan. Aurora may still hiss if I get too close, but mostly they just follow the movements of the brush closely with their eyes. I remember friendly kittens running after me as I was sweeping the floor, thinking it was some kind of game.

Varna: a large city in Bulgaria, on the coast of the Black Sea

ballast: heavy material that is put in the hold of a ship to make it more stable

silver sand: a fine white sand used in gardening

consign: to give over to another's care

consul: a government official sent to another country to represent the interests of his own country

charter-party: a contract between the person who owns a ship and another person who wants to use the ship

nine days' wonder: something that generates interest for a limited time and is then abandoned

S. P. C. A.: Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

rescript: something that has been rewritten

supercargo: the person on a ship who is in charge of managing the cargo

cum grano (salis): with a grain of salt, with skepticism

1690 – Siege of Limerick commences when William of Orange encamps just outside the walls of the old city, with an army of about 26,000; the Irish defenders were similar in number though not nearly as well armed. 1850 – Irish Tenant League is founded. 1878 – Birth of architect and furniture designer, Eileen Gray, in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. She was a pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture.…