International Day of the World's Indigenous People
This day is celebrated on August 9
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of the World's Indigenous People is observed on August 9 each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population. This event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
North America and Polar Regions
Chief Wilma Mankiller
By: Susannah Abbey
Chief Wilma Mankiller
was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Sacajawea
By: Lydia Ratna
Sacajawea
guided Lewis and Clark across the northwestern territories.
Chief Oren Lyons
By: Aibanrihun Lyngdoh
Chief Oren Lyons
is an internationally venerated advocate for preserving biodiversity.
Maria Tallchief
By: Rebecca Miller
Maria Tallchief was a Native American ballerina known worldwide for her outstanding performances.
Corbin Harney
Corbin Harney
has spread a message of peace throughout the world.
Chief Joseph
By: Jennifer Beck
"The Earth is the mother of all people and all people should have equal rights upon it."
Handsome Lake
By: AMERICAN NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY <br> edited by John Garraty,<br> copyright 1999 ...
"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." --old Native American saying
Sequoyah
By: AMERICAN NATIONAL BIOGRAPHY, <br>edited by John Garraty,<br><h5> copyright 1...
Sequoyah
invented the Cherokee alphabet, which enabled Cherokees to record their history.
Chief Standing Bear
By: T.D. from Eden Prairie
Chief Standing Bear
argued successfully for Native Americans to have the right of habeas corpus.
Christine Quintasket
By: Catherine from Trumbull
Christine Quintasket
was the first published Native American woman author.
Billy Mills
By: Dona from Spokane, Washington
Billy Mills
is an Olympic gold medal runner who encourages Native American youth to believe in the power of their dreams.
Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park
By: Claudia Herrera Hudson
Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park
is the only park in the Americas established and run by indigenous peoples.
Ranald MacDonald
By: Kelley from Spokane
Ranald MacDonald
was a Native American/Scot wayfarer who helped open up Japan to the West.
Sarah Winnemucca
By: Isabelle from Wallingford
Sarah Winnemucca
was an advocate for Paiute rights and the first Native American woman to publish a book.
Native American Spirituality
By: Jennifer Beck
Native American Spirituality comes in myriad forms.
Howard Luke
By: Sarah from Fairbanks
Ralph Walter Perdue
By: Clara from Fairbanks
Ralph Walter Perdue
helped found the Fairbanks Native Association, advocating for local natives.
Pitaseolak Ashonna
By: Annie from Kenora
Inspirational Aboriginal Inuit Artist
Chief Attungowruk
By: Michelle from Fairbanks, Alaska
Gwich'in Elders
Becky Matkov
By: Madeline from Miami
Becky Matkov
works to preserve Miami's indigenous history.
Oren Lyons
By: Robert Shetterly
Black Hawk, Indian Warrior
By: Kay Smith, Artist Laureate of Illinois
Chief Joseph Hinmton Yalektit by Robert Shetterly
By: Robert Shetterly
Medicine Prayer
By: Rex A. Begaye
Art Miles Mural Project
By: Art Miles Indigenous Muralists
Geronimo
By: Lorenzo Cassa
Universal Enlightenment
By: Rex A. Begaye
Lozen (c. 1840 - 1890)
By: Lorenzo Cassa
The Arctic Garden
Producer: Will Parinello/Tom Dusenberry
Caroline Cannon, an Inupiat indigenous leader, takes aim at offshore oil drilling that threatens her people and the biodiversity in the Arctic Sea.
Camille Manybeads Tso tells an inspiring true story of Native American Heritage.
Stories of TRUST - Arizona
Producer: Christi Cooper-Kuhn, Katie Lose-Gilbertson, Kelly Matheson
Young Navajo artist Jaime Lynn Butler campaigns to save the environment of her beloved American Southwest.
Stories of TRUST - Alaska
Producer: Christi Cooper-Kuhn, Katie Lose-Gilbertson, Kelly Matheson
Nelson Kanuk of Alaska is taking a case to court on behalf of the Alaskan environment.
Deep Bonds: People of The Mattaponi
Produced by:Jason Harwell, Jesse Bogue, Ben Franz
The people of the Mattaponi are connected to their river in more ways than one.
Yakuts
Producer: JOSE IGNACIO SIMON
Yakutia is the largest region in Russia. It is in Eastern Siberia. Its inhabitants live in extreme conditions. But they live their lives. They go to work, to school or play in the street. The main ethnic group in Yakutia are the Yakuts. They speak the Yakut language, besides the Russian.
Mexico, Central and South America
Dolores Olmedo Patino
By: Claudia Herrera Hudson
Dolores Olmedo Patino was a Mexican businesswoman, philanthropist, and art collector.
Frida Kahlo
By: Jennifer Beck
Frida Kahlo became a famous Mexican artist despite polio and injuries.
Rigoberta Menchu Tum
By: Lydia Ratna
Rigoberta Menchú Tum, winner of the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize, became involved with various groups in their struggle for the indigenous people out of personal conviction and sense of justice.
International Day of the World's Indigenous People