09/08/2026
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – August 9
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed every year on August 9. It raises awareness about the rights, cultures, knowledge systems and challenges of indigenous communities across the world.
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The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 49/214, adopted on December 23, 1994. August 9 was chosen because it marks the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva in 1982.
Indigenous peoples live in different regions of the world and have distinct languages, traditions, institutions and relationships with land and nature. They are important for cultural diversity, biodiversity conservation and traditional ecological knowledge. However, many indigenous communities face displacement, poverty, loss of land, climate stress, discrimination and limited access to healthcare and education.
Key Contributions
Indigenous communities have preserved traditional knowledge related to forests, water, biodiversity, agriculture, medicine and sustainable living. Their close relationship with land and natural resources makes them central to debates on climate change, conservation and sustainable development.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007, recognises their rights to culture, identity, land, resources, self-determination and participation in decisions affecting them.
The 2026 theme, “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” focuses on the role of indigenous midwives in protecting maternal health, cultural continuity and community well-being. It highlights the need for culturally appropriate healthcare and respect for traditional knowledge systems.
In India, indigenous communities are broadly linked with Scheduled Tribes. Constitutional safeguards include Article 46, Article 244, the Fifth and Sixth Schedules, reservations in legislatures, and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A. Important laws include the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
The day is observed to promote dignity, rights, inclusion and protection of indigenous peoples.
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