Indigenous people

Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups who are the original or earliest known inhabitants of an area, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied or colonized the area more recently. This includes groups that pre-date the arrival of colonial settlers and who maintain cultural and historical traditions distinct from the dominant society.

Definition and classification

The term "indigenous" is derived from the Latin word indigena, which means "sprung from the land, native". Therefore, indigenous peoples are those who were living on their lands before settlers from elsewhere encroached upon or took over their territories. This includes peoples who may have been forcibly removed from their lands or who have integrated into other societies, but who still maintain a distinct cultural identity that connects them to their ancestral territories.

History

The history of indigenous peoples is marked by their resistance to colonization and the preservation of their cultural identities despite the pressures of assimilation. This history is often characterized by violent conflict, dispossession, and the struggle for self-determination and recognition of their rights.

Indigenous peoples by region

There are indigenous peoples in all regions of the world, including the Inuit in the Arctic, the Maori in New Zealand, the Aboriginal Australians, the Native Americans in North and South America, the Sami in Scandinavia, and the Adivasi in India, among others.

Rights of indigenous peoples

The rights of indigenous peoples are enshrined in international law, particularly in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). These rights include the right to self-determination, the right to maintain their cultural traditions and customs, and the right to their traditional lands, territories and resources.

Challenges faced by indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples face a range of challenges, including marginalization, discrimination, loss of lands and resources, threats to their cultural identity, and lack of access to social services and economic opportunities.

See also

• Indigenous rights
• Indigenous languages
• Indigenous cultures