International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
DEI
August 9th is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, marking the date of the inaugural session of the U.N. Working Group on Indigenous Populations in Geneva in 1982. The purpose of this observance is to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups, including protecting their cultures and ways of life.
According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world living across 90 countries. While these populations account for less than 5% of the world’s population, they account for 15% of the poorest due to a variety of factors. Despite the challenges they face in today’s world, indigenous peoples are incredibly diverse and culturally rich, speaking “an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and representing 5,000 different cultures.”
This day is a reminder that indigenous peoples have unique cultural and social characteristics that are different from the dominant societies in which they live, and so they face many challenges, including displacement from traditional lands as well as economic and political difficulties, which are frequently rooted in a long history of racial and structural discrimination.
In order to build a better future together, it’s important that we champion the recognition of indigenous identities, ways of life, and rights to traditional lands, territories and natural resources, as well as the recognition and reparation of historic injustices.
As stated by the U.N., “The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and way of life.” But what can you do to help? You can help support indigenous peoples by getting involved on both a local and worldwide scale:
- Educate yourself about indigenous cultures through seminars, talks, books, and other media.
- Remove harmful stereotypes from your language.
- Donate to indigenous-led organizations and nonprofits or get involved as a volunteer in your local community.
- Support indigenous-owned businesses.
- Listen to what indigenous people are saying – follow indigenous people on social media and look for movies, books, art, and more by indigenous creators.
- Be an ally to indigenous voices in public policy.
Together, we can create a diverse and culturally rich world that embraces indigenous peoples and their unique traditions.

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