Published: August 8, 2022
The following statement is from the SEIU 503 Indigenous People’s Caucus:
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.
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 first International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is celebrated by the U.N. General Assembly.
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.