International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples seeks to celebrate and raise awareness about the world's indigenous populations. This observance, established by the United Nations, is dedicated to honouring the unique cultures, languages, traditions, and knowledge of these diverse communities. It also serves as a platform to address various issues faced by indigenous peoples, including social marginalisation, environmental threats, and challenges to their cultural preservation.

In New Zealand, the history of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples holds particular significance for the Māori population, who represent a critical element of the country's social fabric. As the first inhabitants of Aotearoa, their rich traditions, language, and customs continue to shape New Zealand's national identity. Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of the nation, serves as a symbol of partnership between the Māori and the Crown, and remains an essential framework for addressing indigenous rights and grievances.

To observe International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples in New Zealand, a range of events and activities take place throughout the country. These events often include cultural performances, exhibiting traditional Māori arts and crafts, and educational forums that focus on indigenous history, languages, and pressing issues. International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is held annually on August 9, providing an opportunity for all New Zealanders to come together and celebrate the unique contributions of the Māori people and learn about the importance of indigenous cultures worldwide.

Facts about Indigenous People

• Indigenous languages are dying at an alarming rate. UNESCO warns that at least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered.
• Indigenous peoples often have lower life expectancies than the general population in their countries due to higher rates of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and alcohol addiction, often stemming from stress, poor sanitation, malnutrition, lack of access to clean water and medical care.
• Despite their historical ties, Indigenous peoples have legal ownership of only about 10% of the world’s lands. Land rights are a major issue for indigenous peoples, as many of their difficulties are directly connected to their displacement from their ancestral lands.
• As of June 2020, New Zealand’s estimated Māori ethnic population was 850,500 (or 16.7% of the national population).
• The concept of "whakapapa" (genealogy) is vital in Māori culture, as it refers to the links between people, land, and the spiritual realm. Tangata whenua (literally "people of the land") is used as a descriptor for the Māori people as they have a deep relationship with their land and environment.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Top things to do in NZ for this observance

• Donate to Survival International. All funds donated are put towards the survival and protection of indigenous peoples rights. They help to defend their lands and lives and help them determine their own future.
• Watch the official UN International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples webcast. It is hosted in the ECOSOC Chamber at the UN headquarters and you can watch it online.
• Visit historic sites such as the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and Māori chiefs in 1840
• Attend a kapa haka performance, which is a traditional Māori song and dance, or listen to a waiata (traditional Māori songs) to appreciate the richness of Māori culture.