Across the globe, from the frozen Arctic to the dense Amazon rainforest, live hundreds of millions of Indigenous peoples. They are the descendants of the original inhabitants of a
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-07-16
Introduction
Across the globe, from the frozen Arctic to the dense Amazon rainforest, live hundreds of millions of Indigenous peoples. They are the descendants of the original inhabitants of a land, long before colonisers or settlers arrived. While they represent a vast diversity of cultures and languages, they share a common story: a history of dispossession, marginalisation, and a resilient struggle to protect their cultures, their lands, and their fundamental human rights. This article provides a global overview of who Indigenous peoples are, their unique relationship with their environment, and their fight for recognition and self-determination.
Learning objectives
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- Define "Indigenous peoples" and provide examples from different parts of the world.
- Explain the unique spiritual, cultural, and economic connection Indigenous peoples have to their lands.
- Describe the general impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities worldwide.
- Understand the concept of self-determination and its importance in the Indigenous rights movement.
- Identify the significance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Who Are Indigenous Peoples?
There is no single, official definition of "Indigenous peoples," but the term generally refers to groups who have a historical continuity with pre-colonial or pre-settler societies that developed on their territories. They consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing on those territories. Examples include the Sámi in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia; Native Americans in the USA and First Nations in Canada; the Māori of New Zealand; the Aboriginal peoples of Australia; and the numerous distinct ethnic groups throughout the Amazon basin. …