- "Indigenous peoples are the first inhabitants of an area and their descendants."
The study of ethnic groups that are native to a particular geographical area and have distinct cultural traditions, often having been colonized or oppressed by outside forces.
Indigenous Peoples' cultures: Understanding the diverse cultural practices, beliefs, and traditions of Indigenous Peoples is important to appreciate their way of life and the challenges they face in today's world.
Indigenous Peoples' history: Despite often being marginalized and oppressed, Indigenous Peoples have a rich history that spans millennia. Understanding their history is crucial to knowing who they are and how they came to be in their current state.
Colonialism: The impacts of colonialism can still be seen today in the way Indigenous Peoples are treated and the inequalities they face. Understanding colonialism is important to see how it has shaped the current situation and to work towards decolonization.
Land and sovereignty: For Indigenous Peoples, their connection to their ancestral lands is deeply rooted and critical to their well-being. Understanding their sovereignty over their lands and territories is crucial to understanding their struggles.
Legal systems: Indigenous Peoples' legal systems pre-date colonialism and are still practiced in many Indigenous communities. Understanding these legal systems is crucial to appreciating Indigenous self-determination and fighting for their rights.
Environmental issues: Indigenous Peoples are often negatively impacted by environmental destruction, and their traditional knowledge can offer solutions to environmental problems. Understanding this can inform environmental policies and support Indigenous Peoples' rights.
Health and well-being: Indigenous Peoples often face physical, emotional, and mental health disparities due to historical and ongoing trauma. Understanding the unique struggles Indigenous Peoples face is critical to working towards health equity.
Education: Learning about Indigenous Peoples allows us to acknowledge the diversity of knowledge and ways of knowing. Integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into education can support Indigenous self-determination and promote a more inclusive and accurate understanding of history.
Human rights: Indigenous Peoples' human rights are often disregarded in countries where they are minorities. Understanding their struggles for rights can help promote justice and equity.
Social justice: Issues of social justice, such as poverty and discrimination, impact Indigenous Peoples disproportionately. Understanding these issues can inform efforts to promote equity and inclusion.
Language and communication: Language is an integral part of Indigenous culture, and efforts to preserve and promote Indigenous languages can support Indigenous Peoples' self-determination and help bridge cultural divides.
Art and literature: Indigenous Peoples' art and literature often reflect their experiences, struggles, and traditions. Appreciating Indigenous art and literature can deepen our understanding and empathy for Indigenous Peoples.
Contemporary issues: Indigenous Peoples face a variety of contemporary issues, from debates over resource extraction to the impacts of climate change. Understanding these issues can inform efforts to support Indigenous Peoples' rights and well-being.
Inuit: Also known as Eskimo, are Indigenous Peoples from Arctic regions of North America, Greenland, and Siberia.
Maori: Indigenous Peoples of New Zealand.
Aboriginal Peoples: Indigenous Peoples from Australia.
Sami: Indigenous Peoples from the Nordic countries.
Ainu: Indigenous Peoples of Japan.
Maya: Indigenous Peoples from the Mesoamerican region.
Zapotec: Indigenous Peoples from Oaxaca, Mexico.
Mapuche: Indigenous Peoples from Chile and Argentina.
Yanomami: Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon Basin in Brazil and Venezuela.
San: Indigenous Peoples from southern Africa.
- "The term Indigenous was first used by Europeans, who used it to differentiate the Indigenous peoples of the Americas from the European settlers of the Americas, as well as from the sub-Saharan Africans the settlers enslaved and brought to the Americas by force."
- "The term may have first been used in this context by Sir Thomas Browne in 1646."
- "Peoples are usually described as Indigenous when they maintain traditions or other aspects of an early culture that are associated with the first inhabitants of a given region."
- "Not all Indigenous peoples share this characteristic, as many have adopted substantial elements of a colonizing culture, such as dress, religion, or language."
- "Indigenous societies are found in every inhabited climate zone and continent of the world except Antarctica."
- "There are approximately five thousand Indigenous nations throughout the world."
- "Indigenous peoples continue to face threats to their sovereignty, economic well-being, languages, ways of knowing, and access to the resources on which their cultures depend."
- "Indigenous rights have been set forth in international law by the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, and the World Bank."
- "In 2007, the UN issued a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)."
- "UNDRIP guides member-state national policies to the collective rights of Indigenous peoples, including their rights to protect their cultures, identities, languages, ceremonies, and access to employment, health, education, and natural resources."
- "Estimates of the total global population of Indigenous peoples usually range from 250 million to 600 million."
- "Official designations and terminology of who is considered Indigenous vary between countries, ethnic groups, and other factors."
- "In the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, Indigenous status is often applied unproblematically to groups descended from the peoples who lived there prior to European settlement."
- "In Asia and Africa, definitions of Indigenous status have been either rejected by certain peoples or applied to minorities and oppressed peoples who may not be considered 'Indigenous' in other contexts."
- "The concept of indigenous peoples is rarely used in Europe, where very few indigenous groups are recognized, with the exception of groups such as the Sámi."