Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples are the original people of a land. They lived there long before other people arrived. There are over 370 million indigenous people in the world today. They live on every continent and have rich cultures, languages, and traditions.

Who Are Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples include groups like Native Americans, Aboriginal Australians, and the Maori of New Zealand. They have deep connections to the land where they live. Many indigenous groups have their own languages, art, and spiritual beliefs. Their knowledge of nature and medicine has been passed down for thousands of years.

Protecting Indigenous Cultures

Many indigenous cultures face challenges today. Some languages are at risk of being lost. People around the world are working to protect indigenous rights and traditions. Learning about indigenous peoples helps us understand the history of the land we live on. Their wisdom about nature and community is important for everyone.

Fun Facts

• Indigenous peoples speak over 4,000 of the world's 7,000 languages.
• Indigenous peoples protect about 80 percent of the world's remaining biodiversity.
• The United Nations declared August 9 as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

Did You Know?

Aboriginal Australians have the oldest continuous culture in the world. Their traditions go back over 65,000 years!