Indigenous Commission Urges Government to Celebrate World Indigenous Day as a National Event

KATHMANDU: The Indigenous Nationalities Commission (INC) has called on the government to officially recognize World Indigenous Day on August 9 as a national event.

Currently, Nepal’s indigenous communities and organizations, along with relevant government bodies, conduct separate celebrations. However, the government's involvement was limited to just stating these events.

This year, as in previous years, the INC will host a program on August 9 with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and other dignitaries including lawmakers, ambassadors, high-ranking government officials, and representatives from indigenous organizations.

As a preparation for the annual celebration event, the INC held a discussion on July 29 with representatives from various government bodies and constitutional commissions, urging them to organize official programs for World Indigenous Day. Participants, including officials from different ministries and constitutional bodies, have supported the purpose of the celebration.

Ram Bahadur Thapamagar, Chairperson of the INC, emphasized the day's importance for over 35% of Nepal’s population and stressed that it should be recognized as a national event, not just a matter for indigenous people alone.

“This is not only the matter of the indigenous people of the country celebrating the annual day, the government should also organize a national event to celebrate the day meant for more than 35% percent of the country’s population,” said Thapamagar, Chairperson of the INC. “Therefore, we have asked the government bodies including ministries for the celebration of the day by organizing national events.”

Historically, government action on Indigenous Day has been limited. The only significant initiative came 29 years ago when a committee was formed by the then Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation to celebrate the indigenous decade.

INC member Surya Bahadur Gurung pointed out that since Nepal has endorsed UN declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, it is appropriate for the government to celebrate International Day for Indigenous Peoples.

The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), the umbrella organization for indigenous communities in Nepal, has announced a week-long series of events to mark the day, with various constituent organizations hosting activities each day.

This year’s United Nations theme for Indigenous Day is "Protecting the Rights of Indigenous People in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact."