August 9 is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
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7 Things You Can Do on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on August 9 each year to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples around the world. The date commemorates the first United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations meeting in Geneva in 1982. 

We encourage you to observe this day by deepening your understanding of Indigenous issues around the world, listening to Indigenous voices, and reflecting on the vital achievements and contributions that Indigenous Peoples make to the world, including how their leadership and stewardship creates a more sustainable and healthy world for us all.

This year’s theme is "The role of Indigenous women in the preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge."

1. Learn about the Securing Indigenous Peoples' Rights in the Green Economy Coalition 

On August 9, 2022, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous leaders are launching a new site – www.sirgecoalition.org – as part of the official public announcement of a new coalition to Secure Indigenous People’s Rights in a Green Economy (SIRGE Coalition). The minerals necessary for renewable energy minerals, such as nickel, lithium, cobalt, and copper are critical to the development of a green, low-carbon economy. As demand for these transition minerals is skyrocketing, increased mining threatens Indigenous rights and territories where there is not a comprehensive assessment of risks and harms to Indigenous Peoples, and complete participation of Indigenous Peoples who are impacted. In order to solve the growing climate emergency, a true Just Transition to a low carbon economy requires governments and companies involved in the new green economy to observe and implement the rights of Indigenous Peoples enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent. Read more. 

2. Read "World Indigenous Peoples' Day 2022: Top 30 Wins for Indigenous Peoples in the Last 2 Years"


As we celebrate World Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022, Cultural Survival is taking a look back at some of the top 30 wins for Indigenous Peoples over the last 2 years. From historic land back cases to strong Indigenous women in power, there has been great progress to celebrate. Take a look back with us. Read more. 
 

3. Listen to Our Latest Indigenous Rights Radio Programs and Podcasts:

Isabel Flota Ayala on Indigenous Women and Traditional Knowledge
It is encouraging to see Indigenous women gaining leadership positions in communities and the government, as well as standing on the frontlines to defend their lands and the planet's decreasing biodiversity. However, Indigenous women remain underrepresented, disproportionately negatively affected by decisions made on their behalf, and too frequently the victims of multiple forms of discrimination and violence. In this podcast, we hear from Isabel Flota Ayala (Maya) who is the Institutional Communications Officer at FIMI, the International Indigenous Women's Forum.
 
Traditional Knowledge Systems Teaches Sustainability - Lukretia Booysen
As the backbone of Indigenous communities, Indigenous women preserve and transmit traditional ancestral knowledge. As custodians of natural resources and keepers of scientific knowledge, they are integral to the collective and community. Indigenous women are also taking the lead in defending Indigenous lands and territories and advocating for Indigenous Peoples' collective rights worldwide. Even so, Indigenous women often face intersecting levels of discrimination based on their gender, class, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status despite playing a crucial role in their communities as breadwinners, caregivers, knowledge keepers, and human rights defenders. Nevertheless, Indigenous women still manage to pass on Traditional Knowledge. We spoke to the founder of the Koena Art Institute, Lukretia Booysens (Nama and Griqua), who told us more.
 
Letitia Timas Petersen Talks about How Indigenous Women Transfer Knowledge and Customs
Poverty, low levels of education and illiteracy, limited access to health care, basic sanitation, credit, and employment, limited participation in political life, and domestic and sexual violence are all prevalent problems among Indigenous women. Besides, their right to self-determination, self-governance, and control of resources and ancestral lands have been violated over centuries. Still, Indigenous women are ensuring that traditional knowledge is passed on from generation to generation. Language activist Letitia Petersen (Nama) tells us more.
 
Programa especial sobre el Día Internacional de los Pueblos Indígenas
En el marco de esta fecha, en Radio de Derechos Indígenas de Cultural Survival preparamos un programa para denunciar la criminalización contra defensores y defensoras del territorio. Presentamos el caso de María Choc, Maya Q’eqchi de Guatemala, defensora en la región de El Estor y quien durante 4 años se ha enfrentado a un proceso penal injusto; además, el caso de los siete presos políticos de Eloxochitlán de Flores Magón, Oaxaca, México, quienes llevan 8 años encarcelados. 

4. Support Indigenous artists by shopping online via our Cultural Survival Bazaar Artist Directory. 
Shop Now

5. Attend the Organization of American States' Inter-American Week of Indigenous Peoples.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) is holding the 2022 Inter-American Week of Indigenous Peoples virtually on August 8-12. Learn more.




6. Visit the UN’s International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples website.

7. Donate to Indigenous-led solutions,

and ask your friends to donate at www.cs.org/donate.
 
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Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience since 1972. We envision a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance.
Advancing Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Cultures Worldwide, since 1972
Cultural Survival 
2067 Massachusetts Avenue 
Cambridge, MA 02140 
(617) 441-5400
www.cs.org
 

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