Taking place each year on 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is a time to recognise the achievements and contributions made by Indigenous people, as well as to promote and protect the rights of the world’s Indigenous populations.
The commemoration was originally set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to mark the day of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, which took place in Geneva in 1982. This annual day is an opportunity to honour the strength, resilience, dignity and pride of Indigenous peoples around the world, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples has a different theme each year, with the 2022 theme being, “The role of indigenous women in the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge”.
It’s well known that Indigenous women are and have always been the strength and backbone of Indigenous communities. Women play a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of traditional ancestral knowledge and this year’s theme is all about reclaiming their role as heroines of their culture.
Despite their critical role in their communities, Indigenous women often suffer from intersecting levels of discrimination – whether this is gender, class, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. The women are breadwinners, caretakers, knowledge keepers, human rights defenders and leaders in their culture, and they preserve as much of the traditional teachings and knowledge as possible.
2022 Virtual Commemoration
As part of the observance, the UN’s Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch will be bringing together Indigenous peoples’ organisations, UN agencies, Member States, civil society and the general public for a live webinar on Monday, 9 August (EST). You can join a virtual dialogue in which knowledge and experience will be shared about the transmission of traditional ancestral knowledge in fields such as climate change and the protection of natural resources.
For details on the webinar and to learn more about the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, visit the UN website – and don’t forget to let us know how you will be celebrating!