August 9, 2016 – Okalik Eegeesiak, ICC Chair, invites everyone to join the 370 million indigenous peoples worldwide including the 160,000 Inuit to celebrate International Day of theWorld’s Indigenous Peoples. It is a day to celebrate indigenous peoples’ incredible diversity,knowledge and unique place in the world. The cultural diversity that indigenous peoples bring to the global community has value and needs to be understood, and our rights respected and protected.
The Inuit Circumpolar Council commits to our continued work with indigenous peoples, governments, NGOs, and others to realize the value of our place in the world and for the rights of all indigenous peoples. Together we are stronger.
For more information visit
https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/international-day-of-the-worlds- indigenous-peoples.html
This year’s theme focuses on ‘indigenouspeoples’ right to education’ The right of indigenous peoples to education is protected by a number of international human rights instruments including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and is a goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In reality the education disparity and gap for indigenous peoples still exists.
Indigenous peoples face numerous environmental social, economic and political challenges to achieve a quality of life protected under the UN. The education sector not only mirrors the historical abuses, discrimination and marginalization suffered by indigenous peoples, but also reflects their continued struggle for equality and respect for their rights as peoples and as individuals.