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10 things to know about Indigenous peoples

July 29^th, 2021

Indigenous peoples are the keepers of unique cultures, traditions, languages and knowledge. Here are ten things you might not know about how they live and what they value.

1. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ARE everywhere

There are more than 476 million Indigenous people in the world, spread across 90 countries and representing 5,000 different cultures. They make up 6.2 percent of the global population and live in all geographic regions.

10 things to know about Indigenous peoples

2. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES SPEAK THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD'S LANGUAGES

Indigenous languages are extensive, complex systems of knowledge. They are central to the identity of Indigenous peoples, the preservation of their cultures, worldviews and visions, as well as expressions of self-determination.

At least 40 percent of the world’s 7,000 languages are at some level of endangerment. It’s estimated that one Indigenous language dies every two weeks. Last year, the United Nations started another important milestone, the Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 – 2032).

3. Indigenous people are more likely to be poor and vulnerable

More than 86 percent of Indigenous peoples work in the informal economy and are nearly three times as likely to be living in extreme poverty. They are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, and often lack adequate social protection and economic resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected their lives, causing them to suffer even more from poverty, illness, and discrimination.

4. INDIGENOUS PEOPLE LIVE SHORTER LIVES AND receive LESS EDUCATION

The life expectancy of Indigenous peoples is as much as 20 years lower than that of their non-Indigenous counterparts. Often lacking adequate healthcare and information, they are more likely to get diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.

Forty seven percent of all Indigenous peoples in employment have no formal education. This number is even wider for women.

5. INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE

More than one in three Indigenous women have been sexually assaulted, and they also have higher rates of maternal mortality, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples draws attention to their needs and rights and calls for action to protect them from violence.

6. Indigenous peoples often don't control their own lands

Although some Indigenous peoples are self-governing many still come under the ultimate authority of central governments who control their lands and resources. Despite that, Indigenous peoples, ranging from the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois, of North America, to the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples have demonstrated extraordinarily good governance.

7. INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES LEAD ON PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of living. Nearly 70 million depend on forests for their livelihoods, and many more are farmers, hunter gatherers or pastoralists.

These communities thrive by living in harmony with their surroundings. Research shows that where Indigenous groups have control of the land, forests and biodiversity flourish.

8. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ARE FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE EVERY DAY

Indigenous communities’ contribution to fighting climate change are far greater than previously thought. Their forestlands store at least one quarter of all above-ground tropical forest carbon – about 55 trillion metric tonnes. This is equivalent to four times the total global carbon emissions in 2014. Given that data isn’t available for all the lands native communities manage around the world, the actual impact is far greater.

9. INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ARE KEY to THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

From protecting the environment and tackling inequality, to ensuring peace and security, the Sustainable Development Goals won’t be achieved without Indigenous peoples. The United Nations General Assembly has asked countries to emphasize their rights when implementing the 2030 Agenda.

10. THE UN DECLARATION WON’T SUCCEED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a milestone in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and the global community. However, there are significant gaps between the formal recognition of Indigenous rights and the reality. Since its adoption in in 2007, several countries, particularly in Latin America, have taken steps to recognize the identity and rights of Indigenous peoples, but there is much more to do.