To protect the self-determination of indigenous people and allow them to freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development, the United Nations General Assembly voted on the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People on September 13, 2007. International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is observed on August 9 each year.

The world’s indigenous peoples worldwide number three to five hundred million. They make up 80 percent of the world’s cultural and biological diversity and occupy 20 percent of the world’s land surface. Through the centuries, they have been concerned with preserving land, protecting language, and promoting their culture, and have made it their duty and responsibility to conserve and protect the natural world. Each group has a unique history, language, culture, system of governance, and way of life. Some continue to subsist on fishing, hunting, and gathering food, while others manage multi-faceted enterprises.

Indigenous groups face common challenges in their fight to protect their lands, natural resources, and cultural heritage. Many of these challenges have their roots in their colonial experiences.

Subjected to policies designed to make them conform to colonial society and culture, many indigenous people face poverty, high infant mortality rate, health and education issues, unemployment, and substance abuse with all its attendant problems. Over the past decade however, United Nations sources acknowledge achievements made by several organizations and agencies.

The value systems, spirituality, capabilities, and cultures of the world’s indigenous peoples have huge untapped potential for sustainable development. These groups play a crucial role in the stewardship of natural resources and biodiversity with their rich and varied knowledge systems and their immense cultural diversity which are valuable to a world imperiled by the mounting trend of globalization.