Aug. 9 is recognized as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and the day honors indigenous communities as they fight for their right to protect their cultures and their ways of life. Our native IPs, too, constantly face the threat of displacement, disenfranchisement, and even death at the hands of our own government, or of big companies trying to make a quick buck.
Here’s how some of our IP groups celebrated the day:
KATRIBU organized a mobilization in Mendiola, Manila to celebrate the World IP Day by protesting against oppression and exploitation of indigenous communities. Many IP groups joined in, such as the Int’l Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self Determination & Liberation.
Meanwhile, the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) marched down Session Road in Baguio, and capped the day off with speeches and performances at the People’s Park. They also held two day talks in UP Los Baños in preparation for the event.
Lumads from Surigao del Sur celebrated early when news that they were allowed to come back to their homes came on the eve of IDWIP. Over 1,600 Lumads had been displaced for a month after soldiers started camping in their land.
However, as good as that news is, so many other IP groups in Mindanao are still displaced because of the military activity. This is why in Davao City, Moro people and Lumads from Mindanao joined together to protest the ever increasing militarization of their land. (ICYMI, Mindanao is still under Martial Law.) The protest was a joint effort of KALUMARAN (Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao) and SANDUGO.
Featured photo courtesy of Alcadev Inc, an alternative school in CARAGA for Lumad children.
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Writer: ZOFIYA ACOSTA
