International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2022
Violet Co Legal & Consulting acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners of this land. Their sovereignty was never ceded – this was, is and always will be their land. Our office is on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We offer our sincerest respect and admiration to their elders – past, present and emerging. We are grateful to be on this land.
Today is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which is celebrated globally every year on 9 August. This date was chosen to commemorate the inaugural meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva in 1982.
Every year, the day is used to spotlight different issues relevant to Indigenous communities around the world. This year’s theme is “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge”, recognising the critical and extraordinary role that women have played, and continue to play, around the world in the communication and protection of Indigenous culture and knowledge.
This year, the observance of the date comes after our new federal government has promised to implement the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full.
Background
Around the world, there are approximately 476 million Indigenous People living across 90 countries. Indigenous People also speak an astounding majority of the estimated 7000 languages spoken around the world, and represent around 5000 different cultures worldwide.
Despite the diversity of language, culture, and traditions among Indigenous communities worldwide, unfortunately, Indigenous People share common experiences of discrimination and poverty no matter where they are in the world; despite accounting for less than 5% of the world’s population, they represent 15% of the world’s most impoverished people. Indigenous women, in particular, face additional barriers to positive social, economic, and political outcomes, based on their gender.
According to the UN, women are the “backbone” of Indigenous Peoples’ communities; they are the “carers” of natural resources and “keepers” of scientific knowledge. Around the world, women are increasingly playing active leadership roles in the fight for recognition and protection of Indigenous rights and defending their sovereign land and territories. Connection with cultural identity, participation in cultural activities, access to Country and traditional lands, and relationships with family and community have all been reported as contributing factors to the positive health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous women are a powerful force of influence in facilitating this kinship. Yet, Indigenous womens’ rights to self-determination, self-governance and control of resources and ancestral lands have been violated over centuries.
What We Are Doing
Over half of our profits are re-distributed through our pro bono legal and consulting work to women, First Nations peoples and for-purpose not-for-profit organisations working with and for women and First Nations peoples.
We are currently working on several prominent matters for Aboriginal women clients who are standing up against racism and sexism within their workplaces.
What You Can Do
Educate yourself: there are plenty of resources around to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
Attend an event: at 9:00 AM EST (11:00 PM AEST), the UN will be holding a virtual commemoration to formally mark the day. You can find the details here if you are interested in joining.
Support First Nations businesses
Speak out and stay politically active!
References
‘Determinants of Health for Indigenous Australians’ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (Web Page, 7 July 2022) <https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-health/social-determinants-and-indigenous-health>
‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2022’ United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Web Page, 2022) <https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples-2022.html>
‘International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples’ World Health Organization (Web Page, 9 August 2022) <https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2022/08/09/default-calendar/international-day-of-the-world-s-indigenous-peoples>