Thursday

International day shines spotlight on indigenous media (LIVE WEBCAST)

UNITED NATIONS, 6 August 2012 – This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August) will shine a spotlight on indigenous media – television, radio, film, and social media – and its role in helping to preserve indigenous peoples’ cultures, challenge stereotypes, and influence the social and political agenda.

An event at UN Headquarters in New York on the theme of “Indigenous media, empowering indigenous voices” will feature remarks by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Mr. Wu Hongbo, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Grand Chief Edward John, Chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and others. It will be followed by a panel discussion with representatives of indigenous media organizations from across the world and video clips produced by indigenous peoples.

The panel, moderated by Amy Stretten, will include Kenneth Deer, founder of the newspaper ‘The Eastern Door’; Nils Johan Heatta, Chairman of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network; J. Kehaulani Kauanui, a professor at Wesleyan University and radio producer; and Angel Tibán Guala, Director of the television of Movimiento Indígena Campesino de Cotopaxi (TV MICC).

There are an estimated 370 million indigenous people in some 70 countries around the world. Practicing unique traditions, they retain social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Spread across the world from the Arctic to the Amazon, indigenous peoples reflect the world’s cultural diversity and are the custodians of its bio-diversity.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, recognizes indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination (Article 3) and their right to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and develop past, present and future manifestations of their culture in various forms.

A Yellow Bird Apache dancer performing at the Human Rights Council.

“Indigenous voices are recounting compelling stories of how they are combating centuries of injustice and discrimination, and advocating for the resources and rights that will preserve their cultures, languages, spirituality and traditions. They offer an alternative perspective on development models that exclude the indigenous experience. They promote the mutual respect and intercultural understanding that is a precondition for a society without poverty and prejudice,” the Secretary-General said.

The event will also include a film screening of “Voices through time”, produced by Centro de Culturas Indígenas del Perú (Chirapaq), documenting the efforts of indigenous men, women and youth to use radio and new communication technologies as means to build networks and make their cultures, demands and aspirations visible.
“From community radio and television to feature films and documentaries, from video art and newspapers to the internet and social media, indigenous peoples are using these powerful tools to challenge mainstream narratives, bring human rights violations to international attention and forge global solidarity,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the day. “They are also developing their own media to reflect indigenous values and fight against myths and misconceptions.”

About the International Day
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated annually on 9 August, in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva in 1982. The International Day was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994. (SOURCE)

An indigenous Rai community woman participates in a parade to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous People in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

The indigenous people of Guyana celebrating the world indigenous day

Bolivian indigenous people celebrate sunrise

Celebrating International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People in Australia

Aboriginal people in New South Wales

Earth Child of Amazon rainforest

"On this International Day, I pledge the full support of the UN system to cooperate with indigenous peoples, including their media, to promote the full implementation of the Declaration."
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon


A special event at UN Headquarters in New York on 9 August will feature speakers and videos of indigenous media organizations, with a A special event at UN Headquarters in New York on 9 August will feature speakers and videos of indigenous media organizations, with a live webcast.

LIVE WEBCAST

Responses to "International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 9 August (VIDEO)"

  1. I affirm the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and I joyfully celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9th 2012! Come and Celebrate!

  2. Anonymous says:

    I honor and I celebrate this day! We Are all One! We are ready for Peace, Mother Earth is cleansing! Honor Mother Earth! UNITY, PEACE, LOVE, RESPECT,WE ARE ALL ONE.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Be proud of who you are and where your roots are from, if you let your roots wither, the tree dies. One day, we too will mingle with the bones of our people.

  4. Ev says:

    We stand with you brothers and sisters..in the healing of our planet earth and the enduring of all cultures in peace and harmony! I celebrate with you all!

  5. Imazighen in America ("Free Human Beings", Berbers and Tuaregs of North Africa) will honor that day on Saturday 10th 2-7 pm at the Amazigh Film Festival, Lyn Redgrave Theater, 45 Bleecker St (at Lafayette) in New York City. All invited. Among other films and documentaries, World premiere of the Tunisian documentary by Wassim Korbi "Azul" (213), and New York Premiere of Mohamed Abazzi's award winning film (shown last year in Los Angeles as a West Coast Premiere), "Itto Titrit" (Morning Star), Morocco (2010.)
    Los Angeles Amazigh Film Festival, in its fifth annual year.

  6. Anonymous says:

    love all these people! blessings for them all<3


  7. Anonymous says:

    Feliz dia ao Povo indigene

  8. Anonymous says:

    I celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous People! Through your impeccability and strength, you inspire me to action. Grateful that you are showing all of humanity, the way home. Blessings to you. I send love and energy to the remembering and global embrace of indigenous wisdom.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Feliz dìa a los pueblos originarios del mundo, y nunca bajen los brazos a sus reclamos, uds. son los verdaderos dueños de la tierra que pisan y tienen los mismos derechos que todos (a la salud, la educaciòn, etc), por o tanto no se dejen avasallar por los gobiernos que los hace a un lado y los considera ciudadanos de sengunda, como en mi paìs (Argentina). Arriba guerreros del mundo!!!!!

Write a comment

Stats

Archives

Pages