In order to raise awareness of the needs of indigenous peoples, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Especially now, they need us. Especially now, we need the tradicional knowledge, voices and wisdom of indigenous peoples.

FORUM: International Day of the worlds Indigenous People 2020; COVID-19, work and indigenous people.

The Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch – Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues/DISD/DESA, will organize an interactive webinar bringing together indigenous peoples’ organizations, UN agencies, Member States, civil society and relevant stakeholders. Panelists will share good practices with the audience and the aim is to highlight how the preservation and promotion of indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge and practices can be leveraged more fully during this pandemic and build back stronger.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary General on The International Day of The worlds Indigenous People 2020, August 9th.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on more than 476 million indigenous people around the world.

Throughout history, indigenous peoples have been decimated by diseases brought from elsewhere, to which they had no immunity.

It is critical for countries to marshal the resources to respond to their needs, honour their contributions and respect their inalienable rights.

Prior to the current pandemic, indigenous peoples already faced entrenched inequalities, stigmatization and discrimination.

Inadequate access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation increases their vulnerability.

Indigenous peoples work primarily in traditional occupations and subsistence economies or in the informal sector.

These have all been adversely affected by the pandemic.

Indigenous women, who are often the main providers of food and nutrition for their families, have been particularly hard hit with the closures of markets for handicrafts, produce and other goods.

We must also urgently address the plight of indigenous children who do not have access to virtual learning opportunities.

Around the world, indigenous people have been at the forefront in demanding environmental and climate action.

Lapsed enforcement of environmental protections during the crisis has brought increasing encroachment on indigenous peoples’ territories by illegal miners and loggers.

Many indigenous people have been victims of threats and violence, and many have lost their lives.

In the face of such threats, indigenous peoples have demonstrated extraordinary resilience.

Indigenous communities with the autonomy to manage their lands, territories and resources, have ensured food security and care through traditional crops and traditional medicine.

The Karen people of Thailand have revived their ancient ritual of “Kroh Yee” -- or village closure -- to fight the pandemic.

Such strategies have been applied in other Asian countries and in Latin America, with communities closing off entry to their areas.

Realizing the rights of indigenous people’s means ensuring their inclusion and participation in COVID-19 response and recovery strategies.

Indigenous peoples must be consulted in all efforts to build back stronger and recover better.

From the outset of the global pandemic, United Nations agencies have been working to uphold indigenous peoples’ rights.

We have been helping to safeguard health and safety and provide access to social protection and economic opportunities.

The United Nations system remains committed to realizing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to bolstering their resilience.

António Guterres

Message from Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples , 9 August 2020.

COVID-19 is a critical threat to indigenous peoples, at a time when many are also struggling against man-made environmental damage and economic depredation.

In almost all the 90 countries where they live in often remote locations, many indigenous communities have deeply inadequate access to health care, clean water and sanitation. Their communal way of life can increase the likelihood of rapid contagion, although all over the world we have seen inspiring examples of indigenous communities taking measures based on their strong internal organization to limit the spreading of the virus and reduce its impacts. Those who live in more urban environments often suffer multidimensional poverty, and these harms are compounded by severe discrimination – including in the context of health-care.

In the Americas, more than 70,000 indigenous people have been infected by COVID-19 to date. Among them are almost 23,000 members of 190 indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin. Over 1,000 deaths have been recorded, including several elders with deep knowledge of ancestral traditions. They include the tragic death in Brazil this week of chief Aritana, of the Yawalapiti people.

In this vast region spanning Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, 420 or more indigenous peoples live on lands that are increasingly damaged and polluted by illegal mining, logging and slash-and-burn agriculture. Despite regulations restricting movement and economic activities, many of these illegal economic activities have continued in recent months, alongside movements by religious missionaries that also expose communities to a high risk of infection.

Indigenous peoples who live in voluntary isolation from modern societies – or who are in the initial stages of contact – may have particularly low immunity to viral infection, creating especially acute risks. Communities and peoples who have been forced off their lands are also very vulnerable, particularly those who live in trans-border territories.

In June my Office issued a Guidance Note on indigenous peoples' human rights in the context of COVID-19. It highlights promising practices adopted by several countries – many in close consultation with indigenous peoples – and emphasises practical recommendations with both immediate and longer term impact on health.

Overall, the pandemic hammers home the importance of ensuring that indigenous peoples can exercise their rights to self-government and self-determination. They must also be consulted, and should be able to participate in the formulation and implementation of public policies affecting them, through their representative entities, leaders and traditional authorities.

This is about saving lives and protecting a precious web of cultures, languages and traditional knowledge that connect us to the deep roots of humanity.

On this International Day of Indigenous Peoples, my Office pledges to work with indigenous peoples, as well as with WHO, United Nations Country Teams, UN human rights mechanisms, and States, to support better protection of their fundamental human rights.

Celebrating the Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022 – 2032.

At least 40% of the 7,000 languages used worldwide are at some level of endangerment. But indigenous languages are particularly vulnerable because many of them are not taught at school or used in the public sphere. The door to fight for these languages was opened in 2019 with the celebration of the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

In 2 years, we will start other important milestone for indigenous cultures: the Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022 – 2032.