International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
"The disappearance of indigenous languages is a major threat to Indigenous communities and their unique heritage, as well as to our global diversity and our very potential for creativity and innovation.” -Audrey Azoulay, Director General, Message on the occasion of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (2019)
Dear Friends, Today we celebrate the resilience of Indigenous peoples around the world and stand up for Indigenous rights. This year has been especially challenging for many Indigenous communities due to the global pandemic (COVID-19). UNESCO issued their first bulletin on Indigenous peoples, which focuses primarily on their resilience in the face of COVID-19. Read here. The United Nations is also hosting a day of observance on Monday, August 10th from 9 am to 11 am Eastern Standard Time (EST) with an interactive panel discussion on the many ways Indigenous peoples continue to demonstrate their strength. You can click here to access the event or view on Facebook. If you are Indigenous, today is for you. If you are not Indigenous, today is an opportunity to learn more about Indigenous peoples, their cultures, and their rights.
We invite everyone to take action to support Indigenous communities' efforts to protect their languages:
Learn basic phrases in Indigenous languages of your area
Learn about sovereignty and Indigenous peoples' rights
Read about decolonization
Advocate for language diversity
Contribute to Indigenous language efforts
Happy World Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Sincerely,
The 7000 Languages Team
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