Prospects for the Future of Indigenous Peoples - Essay Example

English 25th April Indigenous People: Their Past, Present & Future According to United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), “Indigenous peoples are the inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to other people and to the environment.” (UNPFII) It has been coherently observed that throughout the past that these aboriginal people have preserved the social, political, cultural and economic features, overtly different from the rest of the world, with indomitable spirits (UNPFII).

However, the immaculate contribution of the tribal communities, still needs to be explicitly acknowledged thereby invigorating policies in favor of the rights they deserve. The world encompasses umpteenth groups of indigenous people scattered at various corners by different names and customs, be it the Caribe or Taino in the Crribean region, the Arawaks in Florida, West Indies, South America and Brazil, the Karibs or Caribs in the Lesser Antilles and Venezuela (Tainos Caribs). The emergence of such aboriginal groups can be traced back to as far as 6000 BC to 10000 BC (Tainos Caribs).

and since then these native people have remained as the most ignored and disadvantaged mass of the world as they have been deprived of “their ways of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources” (UNPFII). Endeavors were made by some of the indigenous groups’ leaders, first by Haudensaunee Chief Deskaheh in 1923, who travelled all the way to Geneva for having a word with the League of Nations with t he hope of claiming his people’s to adhere to their own laws, land and faith, followed by T.W. Ratana, a Maori religious leader, who made his way to New Zealand to speak on behalf of his people for closing the Treaty of Waitangi, which denied their access to their own lands (UNPFII).

However, both were prohibited to speak up for their rights and hence, were sent back empty-handed (UNPFII). The realization of the international community special attention required by the indigenous groups of the world is expected to bring an improved future for these aboriginals by means of various favorable policies (UNPFII). The United Nations Economic and Social Council created the Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) OF THE Sub Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in 1982 (UNPFII).

In 2007, the General Assembly addressed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which highlights the collective rights of these unprivileged section of the world (UNPFII). The implementation of this declaration makes it clear that the international community has taken up the responsibility of safeguarding the indigenous people’s individual and collective rights (UNPFII). The Second Decade of the World’s Indigenous People occurring beweet 2005-2015 is expected to bring positive consequence in culture, education, health, health, human rights, environment simultaneously safeguarding the indigenous people’s ancient norms, values and practices (UNPFII).

The fact that over 370 million indigenous people are residing in almost 70 countries of the world (UNPFII) compels us to acknowledge the indigenous people as an integral part of the world population. A veritable and prompt implication of the “live and let live” motto for this world heritage mass is the call of the day!Works Cited“Tainos Caribs: Caribbean Indigenous People”. (n.d.). kwabs.com. , accessed 25th Apr 2010.United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). (n.d.).

“About UNPFII and A Brief History of Indigenous Peoples and the International System”. , accessed on 25th Apr, 2010.