International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

On December 23, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly announced that going forward, August 9th will be recognized as “International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.” There are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples living across 90 countries all around the world, making up less than 5% of the global population but 15% of the poorest. According to the United Nations, “Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.” International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples aims to raise awareness of the needs of indigenous populations, to educate others on how to help protect the rights of indigenous peoples, and to maintain their distinct cultures and way of life. This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is focused on the roles of indigenous women in their communities and the preservation of traditional knowledge. Learn more at the United Nations International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples page.