Every year on August 9, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed to promote and protect the rights, cultures, and livelihoods of indigenous peoples worldwide. Yet, the very existence of this day is rooted in a long history of neglect, discrimination, and relentless struggle for recognition and dignity.
Since its inception in 1994 under the auspices of the United Nations, the day has sought to raise awareness of the challenges indigenous peoples face and to celebrate their resilience, heritage, and contributions. The day serves as a reminder that these communities hold invaluable traditions, languages, and environmental wisdom—assets that demand preservation for future generations.
The 2025 theme—“Indigenous Peoples and Artificial Intelligence: Protecting Rights, Building the Future”—reflects the urgency of safeguarding indigenous rights in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. It highlights both the promise and peril of artificial intelligence in preserving or endangering indigenous languages, cultures, and knowledge systems. Crucially, it calls for the meaningful participation and representation of indigenous peoples in shaping an AI-driven future.
Nature and Indigenous Life: An Unbreakable Bond
In Bangladesh, as in many parts of the world, nature and indigenous peoples are inseparably linked. From the moment a child is born in an indigenous family, a deep connection with nature begins—a bond forged through centuries of tradition. Their homes, agriculture, tools, medicines, food, and fuel all come from the natural world. Without nature, the existence of indigenous peoples is unimaginable.
Globally, indigenous peoples are as diverse as the lands they inhabit—the Aboriginals of Australia, the Native Americans of the United States, the Māori of New Zealand, the Inca and Maya of South America, the Ainu of Japan, the Nenets of Russia, the Basques of France and Spain, the Bedouins of the Arab world, and in Bangladesh, the 50 recognized ethnic groups classified by the government as small ethnic communities.
These include the Rakhine, Marma, Tripura, Garo, Chakma, Santal, Tanchangya, Mro, Bom, Khiyang, Pangkhoa, Manipuri, Oraon, Hajong, Khasi, Munda, Kol, Mahato, Baraik, Kurmi, Singh, Pahan, Mahali, Koch, Shiyang, Dhumi, Lusai, Chak, Kheyang, Khumi, Rajbongshi, Kond, Malpahari, Ganzu, Dalu, and others—each with distinct languages, customs, and ways of life.
Defining Indigenous Identity
While debates persist over terminology in Bangladesh, the widely accepted definition of indigenous refers to communities that have historically been marginalized, dispossessed of their lands, subjected to exploitation, and remain on the fringes of political and economic power. Their social systems, languages, and traditions differ from the mainstream population, and they often govern themselves through customary laws rather than state legal frameworks.
The Goals of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The observance of this day has several core objectives:
- Protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and ensuring justice against discrimination and inequality.
- Preserving and promoting indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions.
- Improving living standards through better education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
- Raising awareness among wider society about the struggles, contributions, and heritage of indigenous communities.
Persistent Injustices and the Call for Reform
Indigenous peoples worldwide face increasing marginalization, rooted in colonial legacies, patriarchal structures, and bureaucratic exclusion. History bears witness to the systematic seizure of indigenous lands, denial of political autonomy, and erosion of cultural heritage. In recent years, disturbing incidents of oppression have re-emerged in different parts of the world, prompting some states to issue apologies, truth statements, and initiate reconciliation and legal reforms. But much more remains to be done.
In Bangladesh, a future constitution must guarantee priority-based participation for indigenous peoples, ensuring their rights, dignity, and freedom. Achieving this requires genuine dialogue, mutual respect, and the political will to listen. The tools already exist: the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, resolutions from global conferences, and various national legal recognitions.
The Way Forward
There is no justification for excluding the world’s 476 million indigenous peoples from meaningful participation in decisions that affect their lives. Development must be guided by their free, prior, and informed consent, and their knowledge—particularly in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and public health—must remain under their control.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is not merely a ceremonial occasion; it is a call to action. Protecting the rights, cultures, and ways of life of indigenous peoples is fundamental to building a just, equitable, and sustainable future.
The United Nations, governments, and citizens alike must acknowledge the enduring injustices faced by indigenous peoples and commit to genuine solidarity—not just in words, but through policy, practice, and respect. Only then can the vision of a fairer world, where no community is left behind, become a reality.
Author: Maung Aye Khen, poet, researcher, and cultural activist.
President, Adivasi Kolyan o Unnayan Sangstha.
