Honoring and Promoting Indigenous Rights

Honoring and Promoting Indigenous Rights

The celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month this 2024, coinciding with the 27th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), is an important recognition of the Indigenous Filipinos and their rich culture. Under the theme "Indigenous People and Indigenous Wisdom: Appreciate, Protect, and Honor," the important role of indigenous people in the history, culture, and current society of the Philippines is emphasized. It is not just a celebration, but a call to protect and fight for their rights.

The IPRA Law, which was enacted in 1997, was an important step in providing protection and recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples. Through this law, their right to ancestral land, self-governance, traditional knowledge, and own culture was recognized. The annual celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month serves as a reminder that these provisions should not remain in writing, but must be put into practice through effective implementation.

The theme of this year's celebration focuses on three important aspects: appreciation, care, and honor. Appreciating means recognizing the contribution of indigenous people to our history and current community. Their knowledge of agriculture, medicine, and ecology is an incomparable resource. Through forums, exhibits, and workshops, the wealth of their knowledge can be shared with more Filipinos.

In the aspect of care, emphasis is placed on protecting their rights, especially in the face of modernization and commercialism. Many of the indigenous people are losing their ancestral lands due to mining, logging, and other industrial projects. This celebration serves as a platform to push for stronger protection of their territories and livelihoods.

The honoring is not just paying tribute, but recognizing their personality and abilities. The ceremonies, cultural performances, and awards held during this celebration aim to show everyone the importance of indigenous people as the custodians of our culture and nature. In this way, their spirit and identity is passed on to the next generation.

Education is another important aspect of this festival. The introduction of Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) is a step towards inclusive education, where the culture and history of indigenous peoples are integrated into the curriculum. Through this, young people learn to respect and appreciate the histories and traditions of different groups in our country.

Also, this celebration is an opportunity to strengthen unity between indigenous and non-indigenous communities. Through collective action for the recognition and protection of their rights, a just and caring society is promoted.

National Indigenous Peoples Month is not only about commemoration, but a vow for a more just and inclusive Philippines. The rights of indigenous peoples are the rights of all of us—a reminder that caring for them is part of caring for our national identity. In every celebration, we write the story of unity and recognition of the true wealth of our country: our people.

SOURCE:

https://travelauthenticphilippines.com/indigenous-culture-and-people-tours/

https://sinaunangpanahon.com/advocates-for-the-rights-of-indigenous-people-in-the-philippines/

https://manilastandard.net/?p=314451984

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Philippines

https://www.britishcouncil.ph/programmes/society/magazine/empowering-indigenous-people

https://festivepinoy.com/indigenous-tribes-of-the-philippines/