What it is
Indigenous Peoples are peoples who self-identify as Indigenous. They make up roughly 6% of the world’s population across 90 countries. This is a total of about 476 million people globally. They are descended from the earliest inhabitants of a region before colonisation. Today, they often live in distinct communities with their own languages, customs, and institutions (United Nations, no date-a). Indigenous Peoples are linguistically diverse, speaking the majority of the world’s languages. They have a strong connection to the land and environment where they live, with deep knowledge of how to co-exist sustainably with nature.
The colonisation of Indigenous Peoples’ lands through invasion and settlement had extremely violent impacts. Under colonisation they were hunted down and murdered, and forced to leave their ancestral lands. They were forbidden to use their own languages or practice their own customs. Enslaved and subjected to forced labour, many Indigenous people died from the diseases that the colonisers brought.
Despite being a small percentage of the world’s population, Indigenous Peoples represent at least 15% of the extremely poor in the world. Equally important, their territories cover 28% of the world’s surface and have 11% of the world’s forests. Indigenous Peoples' stewardship (care and protection) of their lands is thus critical in protecting the world’s disappearing biodiversity (United Nations, no date-b).
Over centuries, colonisation displaced by force many Indigenous groups far away from their ancestral lands. Around the world, millions of Indigenous people face injustice today because their human rights, traditions, and lands are often ignored. The rights to control their own lives, resources, and governance are key challenges. They still struggle against discrimination, poverty, violence, and loss of culture.
Please note: The following personal stories mention historical sadness, loss of family connections, and environmental harm. Reader discretion is advised.
Maria’s story: Maria is a Maya woman living in the high mountains of Guatemala. When she was a child, her grandmother taught her how to grow crops, collect natural medicines, and respect the trees in the local forest. However, a few years ago, a large foreign company arrived with heavy machines to cut down the trees and build a commercial highway.
Maria and her neighbors felt deep sorrow as they watched their ancestral land disappear. They decided to stand together and speak to government leaders to protect their home. Today, Maria leads a community group that teaches young children their Indigenous language and traditional farming ways. "Our land is not just dirt," Maria says. "It is our history, our family, and our future."
Daniel’s story: Daniel grew up in a big city in Canada, far away from his Indigenous community. When his grandfather was young, government policies forced him to go to a residential school far from home, where he was forbidden to speak his own language or mention his Indigenous culture. Because of this sad past, Daniel's family lost their connection to their heritage for many years.
When Daniel turned twenty, he decided to visit his ancestral community for the first time. He met local elders who taught him traditional songs, art, and stories. Daniel admits that learning about his family’s painful history was difficult, but finding his cultural roots gave him strength and pride. He now works at a community centre helping other urban youth reconnect with their heritage.
Land rights and resource extraction: For Indigenous communities, land is closely connected to identity, culture, and survival. However, governments and large corporations often take Indigenous lands for mining, logging, or agriculture. They frequently do this without the community's consent. This leads to environmental destruction, forced displacement, and loss of traditional food sources.
Cultural preservation and language loss: Colonisation pushed many Indigenous cultures to disappear. Languages, oral histories, and spiritual practices were banned or suppressed for generations. Today, hundreds of Indigenous languages are in danger of dying out. Losing a language means losing valuable traditional knowledge about the natural environment, medicine, and history.
Discrimination and social inequality: Indigenous people frequently face systemic discrimination in everyday life. Compared to non-Indigenous populations, they experience barriers in gaining access to education, healthcare, clean water, and safe housing. As a result, they suffer from higher rates of poverty and preventable health issues.
Political voice and self-determination: Historically, nation-state political systems have excluded Indigenous communities from decisions that affect their lives. Laws and policies have often been made without understanding Indigenous concerns. Decision-makers rarely ask for their views or proposals. Today, Indigenous leaders are fighting for political self-determination regarding their own education, local laws, and economic development.
Historical reconciliation and public education: Learning about historical events from multiple perspectives is essential for building respect and overcoming prejudice. Many countries are now beginning the process of reconciliation. This means acknowledging past atrocities, such as land theft, forced assimilation, and colonial violence. Mainstream schools are now including Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspectives in their lessons. This helps other students recognise stereotypes and gain a new understanding.
(1) International support: 先住民族とは？エクアドルの先住民族を支援しよう
(2) Definition: 先住民族
(3) Overview: United Nations Development Programme. (20 April 2026). 10 things to know about Indigenous peoples. https://stories.undp.org/10-things-we-all-should-know-about-indigenous-people
(4) Agriculture: UN News. (12 April 2025). The ‘chinamperos’ have provided Mexico City with food for generations. Do they have a future? https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1161681
(5) Overview: The Canadian Encyclopedia. (6 July 2021). Indigenous Peoples in Canada (Plain-Language Summary). https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indigenous-peoples-in-canada-plain-language-summary
(1) Social issues: Guardian Australia. (17 August 2026). What keeps Indigenous Australians up at night. (6 minutes 54 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2YddNJBhpI
(2) Youth activism: United Nations. (26 April 2024). Young Indigenous Activists Fight to Save Their Languages and Cultures. (3 minutes 36 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRr3Z3bXjTQ
(3) Environmental concerns: AFP News Agency. (7 March 2024). Colombia's Arhuaco indigenous concerned about future of 'Mother Earth'. (3 minutes 49 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPT9wsa1Hjk
What do you find interesting, surprising, or worrying about Indigenous Peoples issues?
What specific issue do you want to research further regarding Indigenous Peoples? Why?
What focus do you want to take in your inquiry:
Individual: Personal experiences and perspectives
Local: Situations and issues in a local community, town, or city
Organisational: Actions taken by local or regional organisations
Systemic: Law, policy, human rights, or international frameworks
Combined: A mixture of multiple angles
4. Write down your initial research questions and your next steps.