When European explorers
'discovered' lands on the other continents, there were already people living there.
All too often the explorers took the land away from the native or indigenous peoples
and either killed them or suppressed them. In many cases, the native languages
and cultures were suppressed and the natives were forced to adopt Western ways.
Unfortunately, this isn't just a thing of the past -- many indigenous peoples
and their cultures are still threatened today.
The
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People is observed on August
9 as an opportunity to celebrate the rich contributions of indigenous peoples
and their cultures to the human family. It is a chance to recognize the ongoing
plight of many of the world's indigenous people and to work to protect their rights,
languages and culture.
