Skip to main content

12 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 "Leaving no one behind: Indigenous Peoples and the call for a new social contract."
 

1. Read "World Indigenous Peoples' Day: Top 25 Wins for Indigenous Peoples in the Last 5 Years"

As we celebrate World Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021, Cultural Survival is taking a look back at some of the top 25 wins for Indigenous Peoples over the last 5 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.   

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


International Day of The World's Indigenous Peoples - Leave No One Behind
Indigenous Peoples have a special relationship with their lands and hold diverse concepts of development based on their own worldviews and priorities. In this radio program, we hear from Nailejileji Tipap (Maasai) who Works as Gender and Public Relations Coordinator at Pastoralists Indigenous NGOs Forum in Tanzania. 


 
International Day of The World's Indigenous Peoples 2020 - A Conversation with Francisco Cali Tzay
Indigenous Rights Radio program producer Dev Kumar Sunuwar caught up with Francisco Cali Tzay (Maya Kaqchikel), the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples who discussed COVID-19’s impacts on Indigenous communities.  

Día Internacional de los Pueblos Indígenas
El tema de este año para el Día de los Pueblos Indígenas es “No dejar a nadie atrás: los Pueblos Indígenas y el llamado a un nuevo contrato social”. Este especial de radio está dedicado al orgullo de ser Indígena y a los esfuerzos de las y los hermanos de diferentes pueblos de Abya Yala para trabajar en defensa de la vida, la tierra, el territorio, idiomas y nuestras cosmogonías en la misión de la recuperación del equilibrio natural.    

 
 

3. Join us at this Twitter chat with CLIMA FUND on Monday, August 9 at 10am PST/ 1pm EST. 

Indigenous Peoples protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity, while comprising less than 5% of the global population. Strengthening and expanding Indigenous Peoples’ right to manage land alone can reduce the same amount of greenhouse emissions as the United States would emit by 2050. Yet, climate action led by Indigenous Peoples is chronically underfunded, accounting for less than 2% of global giving.  The CLIMA Fund is hosting a global Twitter chat to commemorate the International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples and share how funding climate solutions led by Indigenous Peoples can be one of philanthropy’s ‘big bets’ in the climate crisis.

Join us by following our Twitter feed @CSORG, #FundingIndigenousAction, or @Grassrootsfund. 

 

4. See how COVID-19 is affecting Indigenous communities.

Our COVID-19 response features a holistic, multi-layered approach including continuing to curate and maintain a global monitoring system for COVID-19 for Indigenous Peoples, by Indigenous Peoples using Google maps technology to document COVID-19 cases and related human rights violations.   
 

5. Share our COVID-19 Prevention Manuals for Indigenous Community Radio Stations.

Cultural Survival has produced a prevention manual to support the essential activities of community radio stations, including general guidelines for good communication going beyond prevention. The prevention manuals are currently available in 86 Indigenous languages.

 

6. Share our COVID-19 Public Service Announcements in 140+ Indigenous Languages

Through our Indigenous Rights Radio program we have sourced, produced, disseminated, and translated 600+ Public Service Announcements for preventative measures against COVID-19 into 140+ Indigenous languages and distributed through 1200+ radio stations globally.

7. Support Indigenous artists by shopping online via our Cultural Survival Bazaar Artist Directory. 

Shop Now


 

8. Register for the 2nd World Conference of Indigenous Women 

Eight years have passed since the First Global Conference of Indigenous Women. With eight years of challenges and achievements, it is time to gather our voices share our experiences and advance our rights. The 2nd Global Conference of Indigenous Women is taking place every Thursday from August 12 to September 2. We encourage you to participate in the panels organized by Cultural Survival on August 12:

  • ICTs as an intercultural tool for advocacy, networking, and visibility (10:50 AM- 11:50 AM Peru time)
  • Education and training (11:50 AM to 12:10 PM Peru time)

Register today! 

 

9. Watch the Premier of Reservation Dogs on August 9!

“Filmed on location in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Reservation Dogs is a breakthrough in Indigenous representation on television both in front of and behind the camera. Every writer, director and series regular on the show is Indigenous. This first-of-its-kind creative team tells a story that resonates with them and their lived experiences – and invites audiences into a surprisingly familiar and funny world…”
 

10. 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 2021 Inter-American Week of Indigenous Peoples virtually on August 9-13. Learn more.
 

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

On Twitter, follow #WeAreIndigenous and @UN4Indigenous for news and updates.
Virtual Commemoration: Monday, August 9,  9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EDT
www.facebook.com/unpfii

 

12. Donate to Indigenous-led solutions,

and ask your friends to donate at www.cs.org/donate.

DONATE