Indigenous People of the World

Aboriginal Cultures

Aboriginal peoples are defined as those whose homelands have been absorbed by people from other cultures. They were usually the first inhabitants of a region. Most aboriginal cultures share close ties to the land, and have developed a large variety of foods, clothing, art, tools, governments, social organizations and rituals. These cultures, in some cases, had migratory lives, gathering or hunting for food. Other groups developed complex forms of agriculture to support life.

In general, aboriginal cultures had diverse, complex and developed political and social organizations. Recognition of these contributions to the world must be undertaken and valued.

European Contact and Change

Contact with Europeans has had a powerful impact on aboriginal peoples around the world. The acquisition of resources, both human and natural, became the driving force in the expansion of European counties. For the aboriginal people, contact with Europeans was not to be particularity beneficial.

Europeans brought foreign diseases to aboriginal populations, which they had no immunity to, and caused death and suffering. Aboriginals became a resource to be exploited for the benefit of European economies. As Europeans spread and came into contact with aboriginals, they were used to exert control over certain regions of the world. Technologically advanced weapons were issued for fighting or for increased resource gathering. In many cases, these weapons increased the violence of inter-tribal warfare.

Eyewitness Account

For healing to begin…we must acknowledge that the wrong that has been done…. Facts and feeling must be faced, squarely, before we can move beyond them. Denying pain and anger does not make these emotions go away.

Erica Daes
Chairperson
UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations

Common Problems Around the World

In general, a number of problems face aboriginal people, regardless of present political boundaries. Indigenous language, knowledge and claims tend to be undervalued by the mainstream society. Furthermore, as a result of this disregard, or pushing aside, aboriginal people have faced social and economic discrimination. This discrimination, in turn, has led to a lower life expectancy and sometimes accompanied by substance addictions.

The Future of Aboriginal Peoples

In a variety of nations around the world, indigenous people are organizing and protesting the treatment that they have historically received. Land claim settlements, justice in abuse cases, and a move to self-government, have come to a forefront of debate in a number of countries. It will take many years to address these key issues, but efforts are being made at a national and international level. The UN has declared 1995 to 2004 as the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. The purpose of the declaration has been to encourage cooperation and resolution of problems in aboriginal cultures.