Honoring Indigenous Peoples: Celebrating IP Month and 27 Years of IPRA
During this National Indigenous Peoples Month, 2024, as the theme "Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan, at Parangalan," underscores the importance of valorization, protection, and honour for Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and their cultural heritages, this anniversary celebrates the 27th founding of IPRA, a landmark of law that protects the IP rights in the Philippines.
This month-long celebration will push forward a rich history, traditions, and contributions of IP communities to be advanced through cultural shows, educational campaigns, and community dialogues nationwide with the aim of strengthening the appreciation for indigenous knowledge systems and practices. These events also brought to light issues that IPs were facing, such as issues on land disputes and even marginalization, and pushing to have their rights to self-determination and protection of ancestral domains.
Commemoration reinforces the salient importance of inclusive development. The voices of the IPs are integral to this development, policy-making, and nation-building. Hence, in nurturing their wisdom, by safeguarding their heritage, the Philippines takes that gigantic step toward a societal environment that respects and cares for its diverse cultural identity.
References:
IWGIA - Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines
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