International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 takes place on Wednesday, August 9th. This is an annual event that is celebrated on the same day each year.

What is the History of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples? 

The history of the International Day of The World’s Indigenous Peoples began when the U.N. Working Group on Indigenous Populations held its first meeting to address the rights and create awareness of the needs of Indigenous peoples around the world. This meeting was held in Geneva in 1982.

In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly then decided on a resolution to commemorate the International Day of The World’s Indigenous Peoples in December 1994. On this day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (U.N.E.S.C.O.) celebrates the occasion by “sharing information on projects and activities that are relevant to the annual theme.”

UNESCO also continues to address the challenges Indigenous peoples face and the prominent role they play in society’s diverse cultural systems.

Learn more about Indigenous cultures and communities

A great place to start learning about the local Indigenous peoples is by visiting each individual community's website. They will often share a plethora of resources and information regarding their individual nation here. Also look into treaty territories and their perspective educational channels and podcasts on social media.

Support Indigenous peoples and businesses

There are quite a few Indigenous owned businesses to explore, including beauty products, jewelry, food, and plenty more. Supporting Indigenous businesses not only boosts their economy but helps you learn more about their respective cultures as well.

Donate or volunteer at Indigenous organizations

There is nothing more meaningful than devoting your time, skills, and resources to a worthy cause. Helping spread the word about Indigenous peoples and the daily issues they face is the perfect way to commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024.

The International Day of the World's Indigenous People is an opportunity for everyone to learn, support, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities. By getting involved, you can help promote a world that respects and celebrates the diversity and contributions of Indigenous Nations.

Learn and have conversations:

Read books and articles. Learn the true history culture and current issues Indigenous peoples are facing. Recommended Reads:

• 21 Things you may not know about the Indian Act
• The Inconvenient Indian
• Indian Horse

Watch documentaries or true story movies that include Indigenous voices such as:

• Trick or Treaty
• There’s Something in the Water
• We Were Children 
• Kanehsatake 270 Years of Resistance
• Beans

Support Indigenous Initiatives, Artists and Businesses

Indigenous Book Store:

• Good Minds: First Nations Inuit and Metis Books

Arts and Gift Stores:

• Whetung Ojibwe Centre
• Minisi Convenience and Gift Store
• Aaniin

Indigenous food sovereignty:

• Ojibiikaan Indigenous Cultural Network
• Black Duck Wild Rice

Donate time and resources to initiatives such as:

• Canada Helps Resource Hub: Indigenous Charities
• Indigenous Food Systems Network

• Indigenous Peoples make up 6.2% of the global population, and they represent more than 19% of the extremely poor.
• Indigenous Peoples' territories encompass 28% of the surface of the globe and contain 11% of the world’s forests. They are guardians of most of the world’s remaining biodiversity.
• Indigenous Peoples’ food systems have high levels of self-sufficiency, ranging from 50% to 80% in food and resource generation.
• At least 40% of the 7,000 languages used worldwide are at some level of endangerment. Indigenous languages are particularly vulnerable because many of them are not part of school curriculum.
• The United Nations declared 2022 – 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The Decade aims to draw global attention to the critical situation of many Indigenous languages and to mobilize relevant shareholders for the preservation, revitalization and promotion of these languages.