International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous youth agents of change for the future of Indigenous Peoples’ Food and Knowledge Systems.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples observed on 9 August commemorates the establishment by ECOSOC in 1982 of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. This year´s theme places Indigenous Youth as agents of change at the centre of discussions on Climate Action, Green Transition, Mobilization for Justice, and Intergenerational connections.
We join the world in honoring Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change and the work they are leading at the ground level, as well as at the national, regional and international levels. Today, the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit pays tribute to the working relationship with the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (GIYC) and Indigenous Youth leaders across the seven socio-cultural regions.
Building on the work that started together in 2017 with the Rome Declaration, the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit and the GIYC continue to bring together Indigenous Peoples, UN Agencies and country governments to affect change for the future of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems.
As emphasized by one of the founding Indigenous Youth leaders of the GIYC, “when bringing together a UN agency and Indigenous Peoples there are many protocols that have to be learned. The important thing to know is that working with Indigenous Peoples requires building a relationship,” shared Tecumseh Ceasar of the Matinecock Turkey Clan, Montaukett, Unkechaug Nations, and GlYC North American Advisor.
Through the building of this relationship, the Indigenous Youth leaders of the GIYC and the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit are advancing the urgent priorities set out by the Indigenous Youth on the global stage with the start of the biennial UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum and the launch of the “My Food Vision Is…” global campaign.
“Our vision of what we see Indigenous futures to look like, and that includes, specifically our food systems. Right now, our vision is Earth Mother is sick, right now that is the reality, it is chilling. But now, we want the world to hear what we have, because we know our cultures, our knowledge systems have the answers to care for and live in commune with Earth Mother,” shared Makanalani Malia Gomes, Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), GIYC Co-Chair.
The GIYC and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), welcome this year´s UNDESA theme for 9th August. More so in the context of the October II Session of the Biennial United Nations Global Indigenous Youth Forum organized by FAO, the GIYC, Norway and the World Reindeer Association.
This Forum first started in 2021, following a request by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) for FAO to organize in Rome an Indigenous Youth Forum. Designed to be a platform where Indigenous Youth who are leading the work at the ground level can gather and discuss with policy makers to inform and present policy recommendations for the future of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, specifically in the context of climate action and biodiversity protection. This year, the II Session of the UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum will gather more than 150 Indigenous youth from the seven sociocultural regions of the world.
For the first time, Indigenous Youth will meet in plenary sessions with the World Food Forum, the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, and the Science and Innovation Forum to ensure that Indigenous youth are engaged in all processes relevant to their lives. The Forum will also build upon the 2017 Rome declaration, 2021 “Indigenous Youth Global Declaration on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems”, and expand the “My Food Vision Is…” campaign.
The Forum is about tangible actions. “It is a very simple solution. If you take the one part of the system out that creates balance in the system, and that is Indigenous Peoples, there will be issues. Indigenous Peoples were taken out through segregation and colonization. There has been talk for more than five years about needing to bring Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge back, but little action. Action speaks louder than words. That is what we are doing. Put the balance back into the system; put Indigenous Peoples back into the system. We understand true custodian stewardship of land and sea,” as emphasized by Malachi Johnson, Gooreng Gooreng Traditional Steward of the Great Barrier Reef and GIYC Pacific Regional Focal point.
Indigenous Youth are agents of change who do not forget about their elders. The elders are the foundation upon which Indigenous societies are woven. Together with Indigenous Youth, Indigenous elders weave together the intergenerational fabric that sustains the present and future of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems, as well as the stewardship of the lands, waters, plants and animals of the planet. In this great time of change, Indigenous Youth with their elders are leading the way for adaptation and resilience. However, they can only continue this critical work if their rights, livelihoods, lands and waters are in healthy condition and protected.
“We as the Youth come with incredible mentorship from our elders. They have given us so much. We are the vessels for that ancestral knowledge and for the physical elders who we are still privileged enough to have with us back home. My grandmother said, ‘Always leave a place better than you found it.’ We can all do that. It is not just an Indigenous thing. We are the best at doing it because we are the first generation,” said Makanalani Gomes.
During the COVID pandemic, Indigenous Youth from across the world shared accounts of their work at the community level to address needs in times of adversity – namely in the face of climate change and the pandemic. In the 2021 FAO publication, Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change, it is well described that “Indigenous Youth are known to be able to ‘walk between both worlds’ – that is, to navigate both traditional Indigenous Peoples’ cultures and lifestyles as well as those of modern societies.” This ability translates into policy spaces, debates of science, knowledge and methods of communication. Walking in both worlds also comes with opportunities and challenges.
Indigenous Youth are the agents of change for today´s and tomorrow´s Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems. It is with them at the centre that Biodiversity can be preserved and Climate crisis addressed.
Key FAO Publications:
Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change. Actions of Indigenous Youth during times of adversity, 2021
Additional References:
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023 – UNDESA
The Global Indigenous Youth Caucus
The FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit – Indigenous Youth
2017 Rome Declaration on Indigenous Youth towards a World without Hunger
2021 Indigenous Youth Global Declaration on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems.
“My Food Vision…” Indigenous Youth campaign launched in October 2022
Coalition on Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems
FAO Science & Innovation Forum