Beyond Recognition: Observing the United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Last Friday, 9 August, marked the United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. This annual observance celebrates the rich culture, heritage and resilience of Indigenous peoples and communities worldwide.

This year's theme, "Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact", highlights the importance and complexity of the United Nations' work in foregrounding and protecting Indigenous peoples' rights, specifically through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

This year, the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) Module 4 (M4) coincided with the International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples. The timing offered a unique opportunity to gain insights on this observance and UNDRIP from AFSE’s Indigenous knowledge holders and intellectual leaders, known as Pou, as well as guest presenters assisting with the delivery of M4.

Aspirations and Realities in Indigenous Rights

Drawing from her impressive experience as a former Tribal leader and Obama administration official, AFSE guest Karen Diver offered valuable insights on the work and significance of the United Nations and UNDRIP:

“UNDRIP is aspirational and non-binding for member states. However, it has sparked significant grassroots organising among Indigenous peoples and Tribes. It even sets aspirational goals for various UN treaty bodies, including the Minamata Convention on Mercury, fisheries agreements and Food and Agriculture Organisation treaties.”

Karen continued; “While the United Nations commands great respect, it lacks the power to enforce compliance within its own organisations, let alone among member states. Consider the rights of uncontacted Indigenous peoples, for instance – the notion that some people aren't accustomed to being told 'no' stems from a coloniser mindset that assumes entitlement to everything.

“If we can't embrace the core values embedded in UNDRIP, implementing the rest becomes impossible due to fundamental philosophical differences. At its essence, UNDRIP advocates for Indigenous peoples' right to exist on their ancestral lands without interference – the bare minimum we could ask for.”

Reclaiming and Rewriting Initial Contact History

AFSE Pou Professor Daryle Rigney – reflecting on the work of First Nations people in Australia to reclaim their narrative of initial contact – shared a revealing story from the Ngarrindjeri Nation:

“Back in 2002, the City of Victor Harbour Council, a local government entity in the heart of Ngarrindjeri ruwe (country) commissioned a public artwork to celebrate the 1802 encounter between British explorer Matthew Flinders and French explorer Nicolas Baudin in the Ngarrindjeri/Ramindjeri waters of Ramong (Encounter Bay). The original title of the artwork was to be ‘un/occupied Territory’, until Ngarrindjeri/Ramindjeri elder Uncle Darrell Sumner spotted this ambiguous untruth and, as a matter of urgency, Ngarrindjeri leaders – through the Ngarrindjeri Heritage Committee – confronted the predetermined representation and mode of representation of what's now called Encounter Bay. As a result, its title was amended to read 'On Occupied Territory' to recognise the presence of the Ngarrindjeri Nation.

“This story highlights a recurring theme in Indigenous-settler relations. A failure on first contact to recognise and acknowledge our presence … that we're here and that we exist as nations on our lands and waters and with our own systems of governance. It also highlights that we must continue to resist and challenge ideologies and relations of power which marginalise Indigenous voices and ways of knowing. It is important to get our perspective of colonisation on the record as well as our perspectives on what constitutes success and thriving as Indigenous people.

One telling feature of this public artwork story is what happened at the artwork's opening ceremony. Through proper diplomatic channels, Uncle Tom Trevorrow (deceased) organised for a flag exchange between the Ngarrindjeri Nation and representatives of the French and British. The Australian government would not participate in this symbolic flag exchange. It just goes to show how deep these issues run, even in supposedly symbolic gestures of reconciliation and recognition.”

Cultural Nuances and Challenges in Aotearoa

AFSE Pou Dr Donna Ngaronoa Gardiner , reflecting on the significance of United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples in Aotearoa (New Zealand), offered a unique perspective on significant moments:

“While some Māori and New Zealanders do celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we're more focused on acknowledging our own significant dates. Recently, we've established Matariki as an official holiday. It's a celebration that's more aligned with our cultural calendar.

“Regarding UNDRIP, there's an interesting story about its adoption in Aotearoa. When the Māori Party was in coalition with the national government, Pita Sharples, who was Minister of Māori Affairs at the time, signed the Declaration at the United Nations. But here's the thing - they did it in secret. When I asked him why, he said they probably wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise. That speaks volumes about the political climate at the time.

“The limitations of the Declaration are still evident, especially when we're dealing with national policies. For instance, some of us were involved in developing a national anti-racism plan. But when the new government came to power, they basically cherry-picked it, saying 'We don't like this part, or that part.' So, we withdrew the plan and left it to them.

Another significant issue is that our country isn't required to create domestic laws that comply with United Nations recommendations. That's a huge gap for us. It means that while UNDRIP exists, its actual implementation at a national level can be limited. We're still grappling with how to bridge that gap between international declarations and domestic policy.”

From Aspiration to Implementation

“I want to acknowledge the many Indigenous peoples around the world who have contributed to the UN's work in articulating Indigenous rights. This has been crucial work over many, many years and it deserves recognition,” said Daryle.

“However, as both Karen and Donna have pointed out, we must also acknowledge that these rights remain largely aspirational. There is a significant gap when it comes to operationalising these rights in law within settler colonial societies, particularly in the Australian context.

It's so important to move beyond the aspirational stage, to take this vital work that's been done and transform it into something that actually makes a tangible difference. We need to bridge that gap between international declarations and domestic policy, to see these rights realised in our daily lives and governance structures.”

Donna, reflecting on Daryle's comments, added:

“When talking about this, it's hard to ignore the goal of the AFSE program, as Graham Smith says, it's about building a critical mass. The Fellows that come through and the work they're doing in their communities is crucial for restoring confidence in ourselves as Indigenous peoples and nations. It often comes down to this: we just have to do it. We have to assert ourselves. There comes a point where action is necessary, where we must move beyond discussion and into implementation.”

– As told to Zane K. .