Events
9 August 2011
UN Headquarters, New York
The 17th commemoration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was held on Tuesday 9 August 2011 at the UN Headquarters in New York, organized by the Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues DSDP/DESA, the United Nations Department of Public Information, and the NGO Committee on the Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
A screening of the film “Kalimantan's Craft; Harmony of culture and nature” was followed by a panel discussion entitled: "Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future", from 2:30pm to 6pm in the ECOSOC Chamber.
The 30-minute film Harmony of Culture and Nature, by Gekko Studios in Indonesia, tells the story of the Crafts Kalimantan Network, formed with indigenous people in Kalimantan, Indonesia to encourage and promote sustainably-produced community-based handicrafts made by the Dayak people. The Network sought to provide an alternative source of income to more destructive economic ventures, and one that would also promote the cultural and ecological heritage of the indigenous people of Kalimantan. The Network launched the “Borneo Chic” brand in 2010, consisting of a collection of woven modern/heritage handbags, which has so far been very well received.
The film is a positive example of an indigenous community adapting to the demands of a modern economy.
Activities around the World
Panel discussion with Nanang Sujiana, filmmaker and Tri Renya Altaria, representative of the Craft Kalimantan Network. (Photo: Ng Swan Ti/UNIC Jakarta)
Display of products from the indigenous brand "Borneo Chic." (Photo: Ng Swan Ti/UNIC Jakarta)
UN information centres (UNICs) held events around the world, including:
Bangladesh: Seminar on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, organized by the Indigenous Forum with the cooperation of UNDP and UNIC Dhaka (Dhaka, 9 August)
Indonesia: A screening of the film “Kalimantan's Craft; Harmony of culture and nature” was organised by UNIC Jakarta, followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and indigenous artists from the region. A display of indigenous crafts was also featured. (Jakarta, 9 August)
Kazakhstan: Observance of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People with a presentation of a documentary, followed by a discussion, co-organized by UNO and UNESCO (Almaty, 9 August)
Mexico: UNIC to arrange the broadcast on National TV of a documentary about political participation of Indigenous leaders in Mexico produced by UNDP on the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (Mexico City, 9 August) UNIC, in coordination with the UN office in Chiapas, to organize the presentation of the Declaration of Indigenous Rights in two local languages: Tseltal and Ch’ol (Chiapas, 9 August)
Republic of the Congo: UNIC provided media support to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the UN Agencies during the International Day of the World's Indigenous People (Brazzaville, 9 August)
Russian Federation: Special cultural event organized by UNIC Moscow with the Permanent Mission of the Komi Republic on the occasion of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People and 90th anniversary of the Komi Republic (Moscow, 11 August)