Indigenous peoples  

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Indigenous peoples, also known in some regions as First peoples, First Nations, Aboriginal peoples or Native peoples or autochthonous peoples, are ethnic groups who are the original or earliest known inhabitants of an area, in contrast to groups that have settled, occupied or colonized the area more recently. Groups are usually described as indigenous when they maintain traditions or other aspects of an early culture that is associated with a given region. Not all indigenous peoples share this characteristic, as many have adopted substantial elements of a colonizing culture, such as dress, religion or language. Indigenous peoples may be settled in a given region (sedentary) or exhibit a nomadic lifestyle across a large territory, but they are generally historically associated with a specific territory on which they depend. Indigenous societies are found in every inhabited climate zone and continent of the world except Antarctica.

Since indigenous peoples are often faced with threats to their sovereignty, economic well-being and access to the resources on which their cultures depend, political rights have been set forth in international law by international organizations such as the United Nations, the International Labour Organization and the World Bank. In 2007, the United Nations issued a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to guide member-state national policies to the collective rights of indigenous peoples, such as culture, identity, language and access to employment, health, education and natural resources. Estimates put the total population of indigenous peoples from 220 million to 350 million.

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on 9 August each year.

See also

• Collective rights
• Colonialism
• Ethnic minority
• Genocide of indigenous peoples
• Human rights
• The Image Expedition
• Indigenism
• Indigenous Futurisms
• Indigenous intellectual property
• Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Assessment Initiative
• Indigenous Peoples' Day of America
• Indigenous rights
• Intangible cultural heritage
• International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
• Isuma
• List of active NGOs of national minorities
• List of ethnic groups
• List of indigenous peoples
• Missing and murdered Indigenous women
• Uncontacted peoples
• United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
• Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization
• Virgin soil epidemic