August 9 marks the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly. This day commemorates the inaugural meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982 and celebrates the diverse cultures, resilience, and inherent rights of over 476 million Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
This day also serves as an opportunity to elevate the importance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007. The Implementation Project remains dedicated to advancing the Declaration through education and advocacy to support Indigenous Peoples’ rights to self-determination, traditional knowledge, language revitalization, land and resources, and all other rights recognized in the Declaration.
As we observe the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we honor the strength, experiences, and lifeways of Indigenous Peoples around the world. TIP is committed to a more just and inclusive future and will always stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples’ continued struggle for recognition and respect of their rights.
The United Nations is hosting a Virtual Commemoration on August 8, 2025, at 9 a.m. EST, focusing on this year’s theme “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures.” More information on this event, including a link to register, can be found here.
