International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations (UN) International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is a reminder of the global Indigenous community and peoples including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures, sharing common ground related to the protection of Indigenous rights as distinct peoples.  

There are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries including Australia. They make up less than 6% of the world’s population, but account for at least 15% of the poorest.  

Globally Indigenous Peoples speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7000 languages and represent 5000 different cultures. In Australia there are more than 250 Indigenous languages, including around 800 dialects that connect people to Country, culture and ancestors. www.aiatsis.gov.au

The World’s Indigenous Peoples’ territories encompass 28% of the surface of the globe and contain 11% of the world’s forests. They are guardians of most of the world’s remaining biodiversity.

Source: Indigenous. Gov.Au