STATE OF THE WORLD's INDIGENOUs PEOpLEs - CINU

EMBARGOED UNTIL 14 January 2010STATE OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLESNot for distributionSuch campaigns are bringing influence to bear on policy makers, development practitioners and the public, whohave become increasingly aware of the important role that indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge systems(TKS) can play in promoting sustainable development in the economic and spatial spheres they occupy. 63However, much remains to be seen in the practical world of development because indigenous peoples’ cultureshave not yet had the desired influence on development institutions, which are located far from the often remoteareas in which indigenous people live. 64In the face of increasing losses through globalization, discrimination or pressures to assimilate, there is alsoevidence indicating the resurgence of indigenous cultures, knowledge and languages. The increasing numberof people acknowledging their indigenous status is contributing to the increased numbers and expansion ofindigenous peoples and to the recovery of languages and indigenous knowledge systems. Efforts are beingmade toward recovering some of the endangered languages and cultures. This change is largely attributed toan increased knowledge of indigenous cultures and their potential. It is now an established fact that indigenouspeoples’ cultures are self-sustaining and can guarantee indigenous peoples a sense of well-being. 65This resurgence is particularly evident at the international level, where the global indigenous movement growsever stronger while indigenous peoples’ organizations keep growing in size and sophistication. The indigenouspeoples’ movement has made significant strides in fighting for the recognition and protection of the collectiverights of indigenous peoples, as highlighted by the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights ofIndigenous Peoples on the part of the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, and indigenous peoples areincreasingly present and visible at various international fora. These new achievements are heralding a new erain promoting the protection and development of indigenous cultures around the world.63Supra note 2, p.464Supra note 2, p.465Peterson (1996).CULTURE | 77