International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2019 | United Nations For Indigenous Peoples

9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It is celebrated around the world and marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.

As part of the commemoration, the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch – Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues/DISD/DESA, organized an event that brought together indigenous peoples’ organizations, UN agencies, Member States, civil society and relevant stakeholders.

This year’s theme was Indigenous Languages and focused on the current situation of indigenous languages around the world within the framework of the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages. The aim was to highlight the critical need to revitalize, preserve, and promote indigenous languages and share good practices through expert/interactive panels and presentation of innovative initiatives on indigenous languages. The event also showcased creative initiatives and videos on indigenous languages at the United Nations visitor’s lobby.

The 2019 International Day observance took place on Friday 9 August from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm in the ECOSOC Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

What: 2019 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

When: Friday 9 August from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Where: ECOSOC Chamber and the Visitor’s lobby – United Nations Headquarters in New York

Who: Indigenous peoples, UN agencies, Member States, civil society and relevant stakeholders.

Concept note |EN|
Programme |EN|
Media Advisory |EN|
Social Media Advisory |EN|
Permanent Forum Recommendations on Indigenous Languages |EN|

Message of the Secretary-General |EN|
Remarks by the Deputy Secretary-General |EN|
Message of the President of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly |EN| Video: |ES|
Remarks by Mr. Brian Keane, Rapporteur of the 18th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues |EN|
UN experts urge decade of action to aid survival of indigenous languages (UN Mechanisms on the rights of indigenous peoples) |EN|

Outreach & Media

Webcast of the event

Part 1 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – Theme: Indigenous Peoples’ Languages |EN|

Part 2 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – Theme: Indigenous Peoples’ Languages |EN|

Social media accounts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unpfii/

Facebook: photo album on the Day

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UN4Indigenous

Twitter emoji

Twitter activated an emoji for the 2019 International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It features the UN branding for indigenous issues and is live from 8 August through 13 September, covering the 12th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on 13 September.

The following ten hashtags will trigger the emoji – please use them!

International day hashtags

English: #WeAreIndigenous #IndigenousDay #IndigenousPeoplesDay #UNDRIP

French: #autochtones

Spanish: #SomosIndígenas #PueblosIndígenas #DíaPueblosIndígenas #SoyIndígena

International day logo (in languages)

For all UN outreach and social media materials related to indigenous peoples, visit our trello board here: http://bit.ly/1W8YMB5

Statements

Joint Statement of the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues |EN| ES|
UN Women statement on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples |EN |FR | ES|
Statement of the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity Dr. Cristiana Pasca Palmer on the occasion of the International of the World’s Indigenous Peoples |EN|
Statement of International Fund for Agricultural Development |EN|
Message from Mr. Francis Gurry, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization |AR |EN| ES| FR| RU| ZH|
Message from Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO |AR |EN| ES| FR| RU| ZH|

Guest speakers

International Year of Indigenous Languages
	Mr. Mathura Bikash Tripura belongs to the Tripura people in Bangladesh. He is an expert in education, education in indigenous languages, local government systems and research methodologies with an MA in history. He is the Executive Director of the NGO Zabarang Kalyan Samity and has a long experience working with indigenous peoples’ organizations.
	Grand Chief Edward John (Tl’azt’en Nation) is a Hereditary Chief of Tl’azt’en Nation located in Northern BC Chief John is a former Expert Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Chief John is serving as a leader on the First Nations Summit Political Executive and an indigenous Co-Chair of the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
	Mr. Luis Enrique Lopez is a Peruvian sociolinguist and educator specialized in intercultural bilingual education. He was a member of the Scientific Committee for the World Study of the State of the World’s Languages and prepared the World Report on Cultural Diversity (UNESCO). He advises the Education and Life and Work Program (EDUVIDA) of the German Cooperation in Guatemala and he is president of the PROEIB Andes Foundation in Bolivia.
	Ms. Silvia Museiya is a teacher and lawyer by profession from the Yiaku indigenous community of the Mukogodo forest, Kenya. She advocates for the rights of indigenous peoples. She is serving in the Nairobi City Assembly and is the chairperson of the Indigenous People National Steering Committee on Climate Change.
Innovations on Indigenous Languages
	Mr. Eddie Avila was a community member and later editor of Global Voices focusing on writing about the Bolivian blogosphere. He is Director of Rising Voices working providing training and resources to local underrepresented communities and sharing their own digital story through the usage of participatory media tools. Rising Voices focuses on adapting digital tools in language revitalization efforts among communities with indigenous and endangered languages.
	Mr. Reuben Fast Horse is a traditional Lakota singer, educator, dancer, drummer, craftsman, and storyteller. Certified as an educator by the Lakota and the North Dakota State Board of Education as an Eminent Scholar, he has taught Lakota culture at Standing Rock Elementary Grant School in Fort Yates. In 2001, he was a Grammy nominee with the group Lakota Thunder for Best Native American Music Album of the year.
	Ms. Mikaela Jade is a Cabrogal woman, founder and CEO of Indigital Storytelling – an app that uses augmented reality to tell the stories that includes ancient rock art figures dancing, singing and interacting with the user. In 2018, she was named in Sydney as the winner of the a “New Generation Award” run by Veuve Clicquot. Ms. Jade is also a Tribal Link Alumni member and Professional Associate of the University of Canberra

Articles

Resources

Second International Expert Group Meeting on Indigenous Languages: Preservation and Revitalization (2016)