The Department of Political Science at St Joseph University in Chümoukedima recently celebrated the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 by launching the annual “Colloquy on Peace” initiative. The event, coordinated by Dr. Shonreiphy Longvah, aimed to explore pathways to lasting peace and promote self-determination for the indigenous Naga people. The guest speaker, Gam A Shimray, Secretary General of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), delivered a keynote address on the theme of “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.”
Shimray highlighted the challenges faced by various indigenous groups worldwide, including those in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, such as the Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese, whose isolated ways of life are threatened by logging activities. The United Nations supports the isolation of indigenous peoples to preserve their distinct cultures and ways of life, emphasizing decolonization and self-determination as crucial in ending violence against them. However, the Indian Government’s efforts to assimilate indigenous peoples into mainstream society through ILO Convention 107 have been met with resistance.
Indigenous peoples rejected this convention as it undermines their right to maintain their unique identities and autonomy. The 2007 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples marked a significant shift by establishing a framework for indigenous rights and recognizing their status as non-state societies. Shimray explained that the UN’s delay in recognizing indigenous peoples‘ unique status was due to its foundation in the state system, which struggled to accommodate the distinct nature of indigenous societies.
The evolution in terminology from “population” to “people” to “peoples” reflects a deeper understanding of the diverse and distinct nature of indigenous groups. This nuanced terminology acknowledges and respects the unique cultural, linguistic, traditional, and identity-based differences between indigenous groups, affirming their right to self-determination and collective rights.
Shimray contextualized the theme by noting that the Naga people were among the first to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 1993 but have since lost touch with their indigenous roots. He emphasized the importance of reclaiming indigenous values and identity to overcome tribalism and divisions within the Naga community. The Naga identity should be rooted in fundamental indigenous principles such as communal sharing and traditional land stewardship, transcending the state system.
To safeguard indigenous ways of life, reforms are necessary at both the UN and national levels to prioritize the rediscovery and revitalization of indigenous values. In India, integrating indigenous values into the state system requires a transformative shift to promote participation and democracy rather than exploitation and control.
The event was further enriched by indigenous performances, including a musical rendition by PG III students and a captivating play titled “A Sumi Folktale on Hornbill” presented by UG V students. Overall, the “Colloquy on Peace” initiative served as a platform to raise awareness about the rights and challenges faced by indigenous peoples and to promote dialogue on pathways to lasting peace and self-determination.