Indigenous peoples are custodians of unique cultures, languages, and traditions that often hold profound wisdom about sustainable living, harmonious coexistence with nature, and diverse worldviews. By celebrating their cultural heritage, indigenous communities are empowered to preserve their identity in the face of modernization and globalization.
The establishment of this day (August 9) traces back to the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004), aimed at strengthening international cooperation for solving the challenges faced by indigenous communities.
In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed August 9th as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to coincide with the final year of the decade. This decision reflected a growing global recognition of the need to protect and uplift the rights of indigenous populations.
Indigenous peoples are custodians of unique cultures, languages, and traditions that often hold profound wisdom about sustainable living, harmonious coexistence with nature, and diverse worldviews. The World’s Indigenous People Day emphasizes the importance of safeguarding these cultural aspects as they contribute to the rich tapestry of humanity. By celebrating their cultural heritage, indigenous communities are empowered to preserve their identity in the face of modernization and globalization.
According to United Nations, “Indigenous Peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.
‘Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development(GFSRD)’ – Global Centre for Indigenous People celebrating the international day of the World’s Indigenous People, by organising an international conference on issues and challenges Indigenous people face on August 9, 2023.
Dr. Jayanta Choudhury, Founder and General Secretary of GFSRD, welcomed all the participants and expressed the day’s importance. He also said that Global Centre for Indigenous People is an important centre established under GFSRD. The centre is dedicated to working on different issues related to indigenous people around the globe.
Dr. Mohinder Slariya, Head, GFSRD- Global Centre for Inclusive Development, and Associate Professor (Sociology)Govt. College Chamba, HP, Indias spoke about the importance of indigenous people, social security and social insurance of schedule tribal. He also pointed out the promotion and development of voluntary efforts on tribal welfare in scheduled areas.
Dr. Kumudini Mishra, Livelihood Expert, Planning & Convergence Department, Government of Orissa, India shared issues related to infrastructure, children’s education, health& nutrition among the Scheduled tribes in Orissa.
Dr. Debasish Basu, Faculty member, Sanskrit College and University, Kolkata, India said the tribal social ecology, mono-ethnic Village and multi-ethnic village. He also pointed out some issues which were in the news a few years ago like tribals being far from government schemes, tribal hunting to survive, Housing schemes far from Sabars living in mud, etc. He mentioned that government schemes should reach tribal people for the improvement of their socio-economic conditions.
Dr. Om Katel, Faculty, Royal University Bhutan and Head, GFSRD-Global Centre for Environment and Climate Changeexpresseddifferent issues and challenges among the indigenous people due to climate changes across the globe.
Dr.Somnath Mukherjee, Associate Professor, Dept. of Geography, Bankura Christian College (India) discussed Social Ecology as one of the most important subjects to understand human society. He mentioned that the policies shouldn’t be made even on the basis of material bases and it is not acknowledged to make fit-to-all tribal development policy for all the tribals. The tribal development policy should be framed for each and every tribal community on a regional basis based on their own way of tribalism.
Lloyd Halferty, Chief Ecosystem Director (CED), Energime Institute, Canada said about Glocalisation as a process should be encouraged for the development of Indigenous people.
Anik Asad, Executive Director, Initiative for Social Change, ISCsaid about 3 types of belts in Bangladesh where the tribal population lives hill tracks, the northeast part of Bangladesh and the planes.
He also talks about the population of indigenous people, the effect of climate change on their livelihood, land-related disputes, food patterns, living habits, alternative livelihood opportunities, linguistic identity, traditional identity, policy-making and implementation, political leadership, legal property rights and also point out the term little know community.
The programme was coordinated by Mritunjoy Chakraborty, a Student of the Department of Rural Studies, Tripura University.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples serves as a reminder of the need to uphold the rights, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities globally. It urges societies to acknowledge the historical injustices these communities have faced and to actively engage in efforts to rectify those wrongs.
All the speakers agreed that by celebrating their heritage and addressing the challenges they confront, we work towards a more inclusive, just, and harmonious world where the rights of all individuals, regardless of their cultural background, are upheld and respected.