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.
Yellow Woman - A Hero Report Excerpt
Producer: Betty Bailey & Camille Manybeads Tso
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.
Oswaldo Guayasamin
By: Jacqueline from Cedar Grove
Oswaldo Guayasamin was an Ecuadorian artist whose work reflected his commitment to democracy.
Luis Soriano Bohorquez
By: Ryan from San Diego
Luis Soriano Bohorquez
started the Biblioburro Library in the mountains of Colombia.
Ana Dodson
Ana Dodson
formed Peruvian Hearts to provide Peruvian orphans an education.
Chico Mendes
By: Jeff Trussell
Chico Mendes
gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending rainforests.
Pablo Benito Juarez Garcia
By: Bethany from Spokane
Shirley Murillo
Bill LeVasseur - Preserving Mexico's folk art masks
By: Sara Miller Llana <br> Staff writer <br> <h5>Permission to use this material...
Bill LeVasseur has collected hundreds of Mexican masks from remote villages that now hang on the walls of his museum in San Miguel de Allende.
Fantastic Four
By: Ervin from San Antonio, Belize
The Fantastic Four by Ervin Mai
Zapatista Women
By: Denise Beaudet
Jazikidi
Producer: Esteban Pinilla
A film about the indigenous culture and environment of the Amazon. 2008
Beyond Green: Sxabues Umbilical Cord
Producer: Jesus Roberto Secue, Eckwe Secue Trochez
Edilfredo has reconnected with the Earth and works to enrich the land.
New Zealand
Dr Pimia Wehi
By: George from Rotorua
" He taonga mo Te Waka Huia"
Te Atairangikaahu
By: Charlie from Rotorua, New Zealand
Huria (Julia) Matenga
By: Terina from Rotorua
Huria Matenga
Maggie Papakura
By: Miriarangi from Rotorua
Te wahine matatau
Sophia Hinerangi
By: Rose from Christchurch, New Zealand
Peata Melbourne
By: Hinerangi from Rotorua
Australia
Australian Aborigines Protecting Wetlands
Australian Aborigines
Protecting Wetlands
by working to conserve the environment around them.
Mum Shirl
By: Sofia & Stefania from Melbourne
Mum Shirl
established the Aboriginal Legal Service.
Cathy Freeman
By: Claudia Herrera Hudson <BR>
Cathy Freeman
wins races and respect for the plight of native Australian people.
Major Moogy Sumner
By: Amanda Molinaro from Irvine
Major Moogy Sumner
is an aboriginal Ngarrindjeri elder who understands the importance of preserving and passing on his culture.
Moogy's Yuki [Moogy's Bark Canoe] (Trailer)
Producer: Carl Kuddell Directed by Jennifer Lyons-Reid
Major Moogy, an Aboriginal Elder shares wisdom of his people and their deep connection to the earth.
See, Listen, Speak: Ngarrindjeri's being heard
Producer: Carl Kuddell
This AWARD WINNING documentary presents the real impact the water crisis is having on the Coorong and its people.
Feather Flowers
Producer: Meg and Lacey
A young woman talks to her hero, her grandmother, who tells her stories of her early life in Australia.
Pacific Islands
Eddie Aikau
By: Jon from Pukalani, Hawaii
Eddie Aikau
loved the sea and often risked his life to save others
Duke Kahanamoku
By: Kainoa from Pukalani, Hawaii
Queen Emma
By: Jessica from Pukalani
Queen Emma
left a legacy of hospitals and schools for the people of Hawaii.
Liliuokalani
By: Brittney from San Diego
Liliuokalani
was a Hawaiian queen who cared for her people first.
International Day of the World's Indigenous People