Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of a region, having a unique cultural, social, and historical identity that is closely tied to their ancestral lands and natural resources. They are distinct from the dominant societies in which they live, often maintaining their own languages, traditions, and governance structures. Despite making up only about 6% of the global population, indigenous people account for around 19% of the extreme poor. They are often marginalized and face challenges in asserting their rights to land, resources, and self-determination.
The concept of indigenous people is complex and varies across different contexts. However, it generally encompasses a group’s collective ancestral ties to specific territories and the natural resources therein. Indigenous people have unique knowledge systems and practices, especially in relation to environmental stewardship and sustainable living. They are recognized as critical actors in conserving biodiversity, with their lands holding a significant portion of the world’s remaining biodiversity.
Indigenous people’s rights are protected under international law, including the right to self-determination and to maintain their cultural heritage. Despite these protections, they continue to face threats to their sovereignty, well-being, and access to resources, often resulting from historical and ongoing processes of colonization and displacement.
