Aid
The first peoples: indigenous peoples and Norwegian Church Aid
The situation of indigenous peoples
Authors:
H.P. Hergum
Publisher:
Norwegian Church Aid , 2006
This report argues that even if the MDGs are successfully met in 2015, the future of indigenous people (IP) will not be automatically improved. Considering firstly the identity and definition of IPs, this document then covers the negative effects of colonialism, loss of land and increase in new diseases effecting IPs.
The report then examines the current situation of IPs, their traditional ways of living, and the effects of national policies on them. Examples of various indigenous groups are given and case studies examined including IPs in Rwanda and Tanzania.
The authors consider the possibilities of attaining the MDGs and the effects that this will have on human rights and IPs. A number of challenges are identified and conclusions include:
- the first international decade of IPs has passed and bought with it the opportunity for many to establish contact with lobby groups and systems available to help them
- with more and more solidarity groups and organisations working for tribals and indigenous peoples all over the globe, with the Second Decade of Indigenous Peoples, with increased involvement from UN, and with the establishment of Permanent Forum under ECOSOC – the IPs have come high on the agenda and are much more visible than before.
