International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Every year on August 9th (10th this year because it’s a Sunday), we celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This day, established by the UN, is all about raising awareness of indigenous cultures, their challenges, and their rights. The date was chosen to mark the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982, recognising the importance of indigenous issues on a global scale. It’s a great opportunity to learn more and show support for indigenous communities around the world.

Today highlights an important truth: indigenous peoples, while making up less than 5% of the global population, face much higher levels of poverty. In fact, 15% of the world’s poorest people are from indigenous communities. This day is a chance to recognise their incredible contributions to languages, cultures, and histories, and their deep connection to nature, helping to preserve biodiversity in the lands they care for. It also sheds light on ongoing issues like land rights and discrimination, pushing us to think about how we can support and uplift these communities.

Relevant Hashtags: #InternationalDayOfTheWorldsIndigenousPeoples

Learn More: un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day

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