International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated to raise awareness about the rights of indigenous communities worldwide. The day aims to promote and protect the rights and well-being of indigenous peoples and cultures. In Australia, the indigenous peoples are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and their rich cultures and traditions have been present in the country for more than 60,000 years. However, colonization and displacement over the past two centuries have led to significant economic, social, and health disparities for these communities.

In 1994, the UN General Assembly declared August 9th as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Since then, the day has become an opportunity for indigenous peoples to come together to celebrate their cultures, traditions, and their contributions to the world.

In Australia, various events and activities are organized on this day by indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies to highlight the issues facing these communities and to promote their cultural heritage. These events provide a platform for indigenous peoples to share their stories, art, music, and traditions with the rest of the world and raise awareness about their struggles for social justice, land rights, and recognition. The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed annually on August 9th.

Facts about Indigenous People

• Indigenous languages are dying at an alarming rate. UNESCO warns that at least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered.
• Indigenous peoples often have lower life expectancies than the general population in their countries due to higher rates of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and alcohol addiction, often stemming from stress, poor sanitation, malnutrition, lack of access to clean water and medical care.
• Despite their historical ties, Indigenous peoples have legal ownership of only about 10% of the world’s lands. Land rights are a major issue for indigenous peoples, as many of their difficulties are directly connected to their displacement from their ancestral lands.
• Indigenous Australians have the longest continuous cultural history in the world, dating back over 65,000 years. They maintained a hunter-gatherer culture for tens of thousands of years, adapting to climate changes and the varying landscapes of the continent.
• Before European settlement, over 300 Indigenous languages were spoken across Australia. Today, around 120 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are still spoken.

In the News and Trending in Australia for International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Donate to Survival International. All funds donated are put towards the survival and protection of indigenous peoples rights. They help to defend their lands and lives and help them determine their own future.
• Watch the official UN International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples webcast. It is hosted in the ECOSOC Chamber at the UN headquarters and you can watch it online.
• Participate in Aboriginal-led tours and experiences in places such as Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Kakadu National Park, the Kimberley, and the Daintree Rainforest, where you can learn about Indigenous traditions, history, and connection to the land.
• Join bush food tours or cooking workshops focused on the traditional Aboriginal food, also known as bush tucker. These experiences can teach you about native ingredients and their importance in Indigenous Australian culture.