Indigenous People Essay

899 Words2 Pages

The Indigenous Peoples Movement works to acquire legal protection and works to raise awareness towards the indigenous peoples’ causes globally. Indigenous peoples are generally defined as individuals who belong to a highly conservative, culturally and linguistically different non-dominant social group,—distinct from the modernly dominant society—hoping to maintain that separation with the superior culture. In addition, their cultures and traditional practices have been harmed over the centuries—complications arising from the European colonial era; still, many negative affections remain influencing their economic situations in the modern century. Indigenous peoples, who have been pushed into poor economic statuses due to the expansions of the …show more content…

As Europeans colonized newly discovered parts of the world,—operations, which originated in 1492 C.E.— they quickly placed the natives into a slavelike system where they were forced to mine and work for the benefit of the colonists and their nations (Kagan, Ozment, and Turner 343-345). It has been since then that their lands have been invaded and claimed by the foreign inhabitants; hence, their economic situations in modern day are dramatically severe, due to a serious decline in a source for economic prosperity. Additionally, tourism, immigration, industrial development, and many other factors contribute to the disadvantages Aborigines face in their lives. As a result, indigenous peoples are often involved in criminal acts to accommodate for their low-wage payments, which barely suffice. Diseases thrive among the indigenous populations around the world as illnesses such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and maternal and infant mortality affect the majority of the communities, especially the women and children (“UN Report”). These situations have devastated many of the various indigenous cultures; consequently, numerous cultures and traditional practices cease to exist as a result of the unfortunate …show more content…

The reliability on land and territory for cultural purposes is crucial for the Aborigines, but what benefit is there to support governmental interference to pursue better conditions for the indigenous? Different cultures provide knowledge and practices beneficial to agricultural production because the variety of crops can provide alternatives suitable for harsh climates, providing best food sources for economic, environmental, and personal use—why settle for less? Public support for the indigenous equally benefits the people and the indigenous, and is a crucial variable in the attempt to fix the latter’s socio-economic difficulties. The pressure placed upon them by the modernized regions is stressful and often times result in further disadvantages for the indigenous. An example of pressure exerted on aboriginal cultures can be seen in Taiwan: the nation, notably consists of multiple different indigenous tribes; although recently Taiwan has grown closely with China, and the latter has influenced economic progression majorly as to affect the position of the Aborigines located in Taiwan. The progressing modernization of Taiwan has left the indigenous incapable to adapt; moreover, the decreasing social

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