Celebrating language on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated each year on 9 August in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.

On this day, people are encouraged to spread the message that the rights of Indigenous peoples must be protected and promoted.

To coincide with the International Year of Indigenous Languages, this year’s theme is Indigenous Languages.

The theme aims to ‘highlight the critical need to revitalize, preserve, and promote indigenous languages and share good practices through expert/interactive panels and presentation of innovative initiatives on indigenous languages.’*

‘It is estimated that, every 2 weeks, an indigenous language disappears, placing at risk the respective indigenous cultures and knowledge systems. That is why, on this International Day, the goal is to draw attention to the critical loss of indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote them at both national and international levels.’**

To preserve Australia’s Indigenous languages, the Australian Government provides funding to organisations that support participation in, and maintenance of, Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through languages and arts.

*United Nations | Department of Economic and Social Affairs - Indigenous Peoples

** International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 9 August