The United Nations’ (UN)
International Day of the World's Indigenous People is observed on August 9 each
year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population.
This event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous
people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
Indigenous cultures across the
planet are recognized on International Day of the World's Indigenous People.
What Do People Do?
People from different nations are
encouraged to participate in observing the day to spread the UN’s message on
indigenous peoples. Activities may include educational forums and classroom
activities to gain an appreciation and a better understanding of indigenous
peoples. Events may include messages from the UN secretary general and other
key leaders, performances by indigenous artists, and panel discussions on
reconciliation.
Public Life
The UN’s International Day of the
World's Indigenous People is a United Nations day of observance but it is not a
public holiday.
Background
The International Day of the
World’s Indigenous People is celebrated on August 9 each year to recognize the
first UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations meeting in Geneva in 1982. On
December 23, 1994, the UN General Assembly decided that the International Day
of the World’s Indigenous People should be observed on August 9 annually during
the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
In 2004 the assembly proclaimed
the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (2005-2014).
The decade’s goal was to further strengthen international cooperation for
solving problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as culture,
education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic
development.
In April 2000, the Commission on
Human Rights adopted a resolution and endorsed by the Economic and Social
Council.
Symbols
Artwork by Rebang Dewan, a Chackma
boy from Bangladesh, was chosen as the visual identifier of the UN Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues. It has also been seen on material to promote the
International Day of the World's Indigenous People. It features two ears of
green leaves facing each other and cradling a globe resembling planet earth.
Within the globe is a picture of a handshake (two different hands) in the
middle and above the handshake is a landscape background. The handshake and the
landscape background are encapsulated by blue at the top and bottom within the
globe.
For this occasion, Rebang Dewan’s artwork is often seen together with a pale blue version of the UN logo with the words “We the peoples” written in the middle. The logo is set on a darker blue background. The UN logo is often associated with marketing and promotional material UN events. It features a projection of a world map (less Antarctica) centered on the North Pole, enclosed by olive branches. The olive branches symbolize peace and the world map represents people in the world.