Why we need more Knowledge and Appreciation toward Indigenous People
Society is built towards establishing relationships with other people. A strong foundation of mutual agreements to make a difference and set ground rules on how to be better towards innovation and success of a community. Well, that’s exactly what Indigenous People have been instructing and influencing for most of the population.
One thing that did not age well with the advancement of the 21st century is the fact that indigenous people are often fragmented and strayed away from society (around the world). From a report, IPs make up three-hundred-and-seventy (370) million of the world’s current population. But one-third of the ratio from nine-hundred (900) million constitutes from around the world belong to extremely poor rural people. This in return makes them prone to issues like violence, brutality, health concerns, and other factors that could make their lives vulnerable.
The concern that almost took out the population of the aboriginals was often mocked and made to display for people to ‘resonate’ with them. Conflicts, abuses, impacts of large-scale developments, marginalization, and assimilation policies. This creates unfavorable outcomes and how defines us as a society.
Something that should be proudly taken care of would be the fact that all people are created equal, and it’s our responsibility to keep ourselves as a community alive and kicking.
With that being said, here are three reasons why we need more knowledge and appreciation towards Indigenous people and how they do everything that’s considered ergonomic and value-based.
They live out their lives just as normally as us (and with us)
According to a report by The United Nations Development Programme (July 29th, 2021), the tally for Indigenous people comes at a rate of 6.2 percent. Roughly around 476 million of the global population comprise Indigenous people. Although a significant metric, they still are considered under-appreciated because of being excluded from what we conform to in the accepted society.
Within the Philippine context, between ten (10) to twenty (20) percent currently make up the country’s Indigenous People (IP) population that is considered to belong to the one hundred and ten (110) ethnolinguistic groups.
You might not know it, but our native people also live their lives as normally as us. Although they are secular and considered vulnerable, a good majority would also be seen through first, second, and third generations as innovators and good leaders in the 21st-century context.
The importance of recognizing them and treating them as normal people (in terms of interactions and opportunities) would be a big help in terms of continuing the practices that had led them to become strong, independent, and thorough with all of the decision-making and habits that made them as sturdy as we’d like to be for ourselves.
We should give them the privilege of wanting to share their beliefs and concepts
Having/giving them a platform to address their concerns, practices, and level of security is what’s essential in living in the ever-changing and fast-paced world.
The sole purpose to why we have practices and techniques of living extensively and confidently comes from influences, and what better way to exude that from Indigenous people who are keepers of value, substance, and unique cultures that we are also accustomed to.
Every culture (nationality or locality) is different from the others. And the privilege of handing them the opportunity to further keep those traditions alive would make more sense to fight for what they have and further prevent them from being robbed of inclusion.
Education is also one of the biggest factors that can help make the world go around when it comes to giving children a platform to express and learn what they need to in order to impact good change in the world. Although the language barrier has been a problem when it comes to current realities, linguistic standards, and cultural differences (modern era shifts) non-government organizations (NGOs) like Cartwheel Foundation, Inc. (CFI) have created a program to assist the potential abilities of the kids for accessible and quality education that ties in with cultural relevancy in Zamboanga City.
The Angiskul ma Bangka (AmB) or “Classes in Bancas” was created to become a safe space for learning that fosters health, dignity, and self-respect of the child; including the transitory fostering of basic literacy and numeracy skills, cultural identity, and psychosocial well-being; further upholding education and the advocacy of peace for equipped learner’s advancement to the next academic level.
Understanding and learning a tip (or two) on economic preservation
Indigenous people help protect and build and further conserve the environment. From treasures, economic fostering, re-growth, etc. Even if most of the time, they don’t have control of their own lands (due to restrictions and by-laws supplemented by central governments), they continue the practice because they believe in harmony with the surroundings.
Culture is the factor that makes traditional knowledge worthwhile because it increases the chances of having to provide future programs and generational tools for customary development; promoting the rights, principles, and advancements to gain traction towards appreciation and preservation of a bigger and broader community (national to international).
The attention, detail, and level of care that they omit towards the livelihood and biodiversity is what keeps the world spinning; but not to say that the responsibility should only fall under their hands. Teaming up, having them lead the movement, and learning naturalistic ways for better and ergonomically acceptable practices could be of service (especially for secular areas).
The quoted “first civilization” mandated the key element that defined what it meant to have a strong culture. Although discrimination and domination from ‘colonizers’ of the modern era tend to be more of a threat than conforming to the aboriginals.
Dying languages, damaged communities, and the spread of misinformation (on practices, tradition, and even health services) are what’s hindering/shortening the lifespan of these people; making them washed up and forgotten.
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Words and Illustrations by Gab Madriaga
