Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples:

“Today, on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultures, languages, and traditions of Indigenous peoples here in Canada and around the world. We also reflect on the contributions they have made to societies everywhere, and continue to commit ourselves to ensure that Indigenous rights are recognized and respected.

“Canada was built on the ancestral land of Indigenous peoples. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have shaped our history and identity as a country, yet for centuries, they have endured systemic racism and discrimination. As Canadians, we must confront our mistakes, learn from them, and work to right past and current wrongs.

“The theme of this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is ‘Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract’. It invites us to take a hard look at our existing systems, to engage and partner with Indigenous communities through a true nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationship, and to take meaningful steps to end the injustices and challenges these communities continue to face today. By working together, we can build a new social contract that recognizes Indigenous peoples’ inherent right to self-determination and self-government, advances social and economic equality, and protects Indigenous laws, lands, cultures, and languages.

“As Canadians continue to learn about the impacts of colonialism and come to terms with the tragic findings of remains of children near former residential schools across the country, we acknowledge that we still have a lot of work to do to advance reconciliation. Last month, the Government of Canada signed a historic Coordination Agreement with Cowessess First Nation – Treaty 4 Territory – and the Province of Saskatchewan on child and family services. This agreement ensures the community can effectively exercise their jurisdiction and make their own decisions about what is best for their children and families. Earlier this year, we also announced new funding to fully implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including to address the systemic racism and barriers faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada’s legal system. Seventy-six of the report’s 94 Calls to Action fall under the sole or shared responsibility of the federal government, and over 80 per cent of them have been completed or are well underway. We will continue to work in consultation and partnership with Indigenous peoples, provinces, territories and other partners to address the Calls to Action, bring about transformative change, and improve outcomes for Indigenous communities. We are also committed to continuing to provide Indigenous communities across the country with the resources they need to address the terrible legacy of residential schools, to honour the children who never returned home, and to support survivors, their families, and communities affected.

“Last June, the Parliament passed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This legislation is a historic step forward in Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. Developed with Indigenous partners and organizations, it creates a clear path toward fully recognizing, respecting, and protecting Indigenous rights and equality. Implementing the Declaration will help us remove institutional barriers, build stronger relationships, close socio-economic gaps, and promote greater prosperity for Indigenous peoples – and all Canadians. This work will complement other important initiatives already underway, including legislative commitments around health and community policing, and the development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy. It also builds on the recent launch of the Federal Pathway, the Government of Canada’s response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The Federal Pathway is providing the government with a comprehensive roadmap to address the root causes of gender-based violence against Indigenous peoples along four interconnected themes: culture, health and wellness, human safety and security, and justice. This important work will allow for the creation of fair, equitable, and inclusive systems that respect the rights of Indigenous peoples, and protect women, girls, and two-spirit and LGBTQ people now and in the future.

“As we continue the fight to end COVID-19, we also acknowledge that many Indigenous communities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. We are committed to continuing to work closely with Indigenous health care professionals and communities, provinces, and territories to address the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic through distinctions-based, community-led solutions.

“Canada cannot move forward as a country if First Nations, Inuit, and Métis continue to be held back by colonial structures, systemic racism, and discrimination. As we celebrate the contributions Indigenous communities have made in forming the nations we know today, we continue to work with them in full partnership to advance reconciliation in a tangible way and ensure Indigenous peoples can succeed and prosper.”

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2021: Theme, significance

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated every year on August 9. The United Nations (UN) estimates that there are more than 476 million indigenous people in the world, spread across 90 countries and representing 5,000 different cultures, who make 6.2 per cent of the global population and live in all geographic regions.

Like all International days and weeks, which are marked to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is also celebrated to recognise the contribution and achievements of indigenous communities and to highlight the plight they face in their existence.

Significance of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was marked for the first time by UN General Assembly in December 1994, to commemorate the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

The UN celebrates this day every year to “demand indigenous peoples’ inclusion, participation and approval in the constitution of a system with social and economic benefits for all”. Indigenous communities have also been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, whose life expectancy was already 20 years lower than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts before the pandemic hit.

The UN has been working towards ushering in constitutional reforms at the international level to address the ill-treatment of indigenous communities and the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) by the General Assembly in September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favour, was another step in the direction. Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States were the four nations who initially opposed the adoption but later reversed their decision to support the declaration.

In 2022, the UN will start another milestone with the Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032). It aims to conserve Indigenous languages, which helps preserve their cultures, world views and visions, as well as expressions of self-determination. The agency estimates that one indigenous language dies every two weeks.

Theme this year

UN has decided on the theme of ‘Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract’ for this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Defining social contract as an “unwritten agreement that societies make to cooperate for social and economic benefits”, the UN seeks to encourage societies to treat indigenous communities as stakeholders since they were not included in the initial social contract, which was formulated by dominant communities.

It credits indigenous communities for fighting climate change and helping biodiversity flourish and asks nations to formulate a “new social contract” which “must be based on genuine participation and partnership that fosters equal opportunities and respects the rights, dignity and freedoms of all. Indigenous peoples’ right to participate in decision-making is a key component in achieving reconciliation between indigenous peoples and States”.

International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples 2021: Date, Theme, History And Significance

Nearly 476 million indigenous people live in 90 countries across the world. (Representational)

Every year on August 9, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed. Nearly 476 million indigenous people live in 90 countries across the world. They account for 6.2 per cent of the world’s total population. India, on the other hand, is home to around 104 million of these indigenous people, which makes them 8.6 per cent of the country’s total population. According to the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), 705 ethnic groups have been officially recognised as “Scheduled Tribes”. There are several other groups considered “scheduled tribes”, but not officially recognised, says IWGIA.

Unique cultures, traditions, languages, and knowledge systems define the world’s indigenous peoples. The United Nations says that they have a special relationship with their lands and have a different way – based on their worldview and priorities – of looking at the development.

Theme

The theme for this year’s International Day of Indigenous Peoples is “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract”. The people around the world, the United Nations says, must raise their voice and demand indigenous peoples' inclusion, participation and approval in the constitution of a system with social and economic benefits for all.

History

On December 23, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People will be observed every year on August 9. On the same date in 1982, the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations had convened its first meeting. On December 10, 1994, the UNGA also proclaimed the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People. The main objective of the First International Decade was to solidify international cooperation to solve problems in the areas, including human rights, the environment, development, education, and health. The focus remains on strengthening international cooperation towards solving problems of the indigenous population across the world.

Significance

The day serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to do much more than what we have done so far for indigenous people. Worldwide, people are encouraged to spread the United Nations' message of protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous people.