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The world of indigenous people is narrowing down rather fast, the world over.

As a result of historical vulnerabilities borne out of social, economic and political shortcomings, their numbers have dwindled drastically in the last century, making them a highly endangered demography.

According to 2020 statistics by the United Nations Development Programme, there is an estimated 370 million indigenous people globally.

These people have their homes in 90 countries, and encompass around 5,000 different cultures.

The “Indigenous World 2020” report published by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs says China, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia and the Philippines are some of the countries with the largest indigenous people per capita.

But this Denmark-based human rights advocacy group laments that while indigenes comprise a paltry five per cent of the world population, they account for 15 per cent of the extreme poor. 

Owing to historical challenges and current injustices they face, indigenes are now suffering double jeopardy as a result of increased vulnerability due to Covid-19.

The coronavirus pandemic has aggravated their discrimination and stigmatisation.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was ratified in September 13, 2007 and celebrated annually on August 9 embodies global consensus on the rights of indigenous peoples, and establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for their survival, dignity and well-being. 

The contribution of indigenes in sustaining life on earth and seeking solutions to problems arising from abuse of nature cannot be overemphasized.

Their territories comprise about 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and 22 per cent of the global land area, which makes them experts of conservation.

Audrey Azoulay, the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Director General laments the deteriorating status of the world’s indigenous people: “The disappearance of indigenous languages is a major threat to indigenous communities and their unique heritage, as well as to our global diversity and our very potential for creativity.”

Sadly though, indigenous people’s creative genius has been exploited without due recognition and compensation to the originators.

Invaluable knowledge on some means of production and rare genetic materials have been sourced from indigenous populations almost for free.

  This demography has also suffered displacement from large swathes of land and encroachment to pave way for the mining of raw materials, leading to the destruction of the very foundation of the flora and fauna that has kept them alive.

Indigenous people are a crucial part of the ecosystem in the areas they inhabit. 

In many countries, indigenous peoples are also used as tourist attractions, but seldom get a fair share of proceeds from tourism.

For instance, their images, architecture, music, rites and cuisine have been used to entice foreign tourists on multi-media channels.

But since they have negligible or nil representation in decision making organs, their contributed is never addressed or recognized.  

Indigenous people are actually an asset and could even turn out as a major resource in the search for a Covid-19 vaccine arising from their historical experience in handling stubborn diseases using natural medications.

But indigenes should be cognizant of the fact that the world has changed in irreversible ways.

In that case, however, authorities must handle the transition with utmost care not to destroy their delicate balance with nature.

Before they are displaced or some new way of life is introduced to them, they need to be prepared both psychologically and physically for any paradigm shift. 

The world will be poorer if indigenous peoples become extinct. Their human rights ought to be protected. They should also be offered incentives to increase their population.  — The writer comments on international affairs