The Indigenous World 2024: Sápmi 

Written by IWGIA Assistant on 25 March 2024.

Sápmi is the Sámi people’s own name for their traditional territory. The Sámi people are the Indigenous people of the northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and large parts of the Kola Peninsula and they live in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia. Traditionally, livelihoods such as

The Indigenous World 2024: Nepal

Written by IWGIA Assistant on 20 March 2024.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census of Nepal, the total population of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal is 35.08%, which is 29,164,578. However, Indigenous academics and movement leaders believe they are the majority. Fifty-nine Indigenous Peoples in Nepal are formally

The Indigenous World 2024: Cambodia

Written by IWGIA Assistant on 19 March 2024.

Cambodia is home to 22 different Indigenous Peoples speaking at least 19 Indigenous languages.^[i],[ii] With an estimated population of 170,000-400,000, they constitute approx. 1.1% of the

The Indigenous World 2023: India

Written by Morgane Jaouen on 29 March 2023.

In India, 705 ethnic groups are recognised as Scheduled Tribes. In central India, the Scheduled Tribes are usually referred to as Adivasis, which literally means Indigenous Peoples.^[1] With an estimated population of 104 million, they comprise 8.6 %

The Indigenous World 2023: Cambodia

Written by Morgane Jaouen on 29 March 2023.

Cambodia is home to 24 different Indigenous Peoples who speak at least 19 Indigenous languages.^[1],[2] With an estimated population of 170,000 to 400,000, they constitute approx.

The Indigenous World 2023: Peru

Written by Morgane Jaouen on 28 March 2023.

The Peruvian State recognizes 47 Indigenous languages spoken by 55 different peoples. According to the 2017 National Population Census, almost six million people (5,972,603) self-identify as belonging to an Indigenous or native people, representing just over a quarter of the total population.

The Indigenous World 2023: Guatemala

Written by Morgane Jaouen on 28 March 2023.

Guatemala has a population of 14.9 million inhabitants, of which 6.5 million (43.75%) belong to the Mayan peoples (Achi', Akateco, Awakateco, Chalchiteco, Ch'orti', Chuj, Itza', Ixil, Jacalteco, Kaqchikel, K'iche', Mam, Mopan, Poqomam, Poqomchi', Q'anjob'al, Q'eqchi', Sakapulteco, Sipakapense,

Indigenous defender remains detained in Algeria

Written by Dwayne Mamo on 18 January 2022.

IWGIA has learned that Indigenous Peoples human rights defender Kamira Nait Sid remains in pre-trial detention in Koléa prison near Algiers and has not yet been brought before a judge, which is against the law.

Indigenous woman human rights defender arrested and detained in Algeria

Written by Dwayne Mamo on 16 November 2021.

On 24 August 2021, Indigenous Peoples human rights defender Kamira Nait Sid was abducted in the town of Draa-Ben-Khedda in northern Algeria by unidentified men and detained in an unknown location for seven days. After several days of her family, friends and colleagues not being able to contact

Criminalization of Pathalgari Movement

Written by David Nathaniel Berger on 03 September 2021.

By Gladson Dungdung

Thousands of Adivasis involved in the “Pathalgari Movement” were criminalized for fighting for their collective rights to self-determination and protection of their lands, territories, and natural resources in Jharkhand State of

Indigenous World 2020: Indonesia

Written by IWGIA Assistant on 11 May 2020.

Indonesia has a population of approximately 250 million. The government recognises 1,128 ethnic groups. The Ministry of Social Affairs identifies some Indigenous communities as: komunitas adat terpencil(geographically-isolated Indigenous communities). However, many more peoples

Indigenous World 2020: Myanmar

Written by IWGIA Assistant on 11 May 2020.

There is no accurate information about the number of Indigenous Peoples in Myanmar, partly due to a lack of understanding of the internationally recognised concept of Indigenous Peoples. The government claims that all citizens of Myanmar are “Indigenous” (taing-yin-tha), and on that

Indigenous World 2020: Chile

Written by IWGIA Assistant on 11 May 2020.

Since the 2017 census,¹ and despite constant increases in numbers since the 1990s, the Indigenous population has not shown any great changes. When considering their demographic for public policy and regulatory purposes, they are still given as 12.8%  of the total population, or

Indigenous World 2020: Guatemala

Written by IWGIA Assistant on 11 May 2020.

According to figures from the 2018 census, Guatemala has a population of 14.9 million inhabitants, 6.5 million (43.75%) of which self-identify as Indigenous, from the Maya, Garífuna and Xinca Indigenous Peoples, or Creole (Afrodescendants). The Maya can be further divided into 24 groups: the