The World’s Indigenous Peoples is a vast diversity. These cultural communities exist in different geographical areas and constitute an important section of the diverse ethnic groups. These groups, though derived from a common heritage, have drastically different legal and cultural status as well as rights to life and self-determination. While all these nations struggle for their right to exist as a distinct community, some communities have risen above the rest. Below is a list of five such communities that have garnered international attention during the last decade.

The Government of the State of Baja California in Mexico has declared April 21st as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This historic day recognizes the vast diversity of the native people of this area. The government has also announced a number of activities that are planned to celebrate the indigenous people and strengthen their culture, including educational programs and art exhibitions. UNESCO declared the event as a world heritage site in November 2021. This place has been identified as one of the last remaining vestiges of the Mayan heritage.

Belize The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on the second Sunday of May each year. This is the mainstay celebration of the Belize’s Indigenous Peoples. It is observed in more than ninety countries worldwide and has been included in their calendars since 1963. The United States has also recognized Belize as a ‘World Heritage Site’ due to its rich cultural and historical heritage.

The Government of the State of Tambomachay In Mexico, along with the Government of Belize, declare the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples as a way to promote unity among the communities of the Tambomachay, Sayulita, Zapotec, Huayna, Moxico, Unanga, and other ethnic and tribal groups in Mexico. The communities there want to celebrate this historic day by decorating cultural centers, festivals and cultural events that bring greater awareness to the cultural and social values of their indigenous peoples and build a new social contract among them. Belize is a small country located between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and it is bordered by Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. It has continuously achieved development through a system of participatory involvement which have evolved into a pan Guatemalan political system, free market economy, and vibrant free trade zones with open access to regional and international trade.

Belize has been able to draw on a rich array of participatory action strategies which include community-based economic development, rural development, environmental management, knowledge creation and harnessing of natural and human resources, and promotion of community spirituality and cultural activities. In terms of geography, Belize is situated in the middle of the Central American region, forming an interface with the Caribbean Sea and the Western Hemisphere. There are also portions of Mexico and Central America that fall within its borders. It has a population of more than 3 million people and the number of its diverse cultures is immense. There are vast differences between the indigenous people of Belize and the immigrant communities from other countries who have come to avail of the opportunity of a better life in Belize. The differences in their culture and way of life are strikingly striking.

Belize’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples deserves special mention as an outstanding way of commemorating and promoting the recognition of the people’s rich culture, spiritual beliefs and knowledge systems. It is worthy that the government of Belize is able to create such an influential event to bring forth positive changes and increase awareness of the importance of preserving the rich heritage of our indigenous peoples. Through the efforts of the government and related organizations, the celebration of the day can go beyond recognition to incorporate the promotion of economic development and the establishment of frameworks for social change. The governments should set aside funds to create and sustain long-term programs to ensure the day is celebrated persistently over the coming years.