Media Release
9 August 2024
Today marks 42 years since the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982. This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples theme is ‘Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact’.
The United Nations recognises:
“For Indigenous Peoples living in voluntary isolation and initial contact, one of the most serious threats from external contact is the exposure to diseases. Due to their isolation, they do not have the immunological defences to relatively common diseases. As such, forced contact with the outside world can lead to devastating consequences, and can destroy whole societies.”1
NTEU remains steadfast in our support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, and with Indigenous and First Nations peoples and their communities around the world.
Dr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer, Chair of the NTEU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee recognised the importance of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to all Indigenous peoples.
Dr Leroy-Dyer stated, “the protection of Indigenous peoples and their communities around the world is paramount, particularly for those Indigenous communities who live and remain in voluntary isolation, protected from outside first contact.” And
“Trade Unions must play an active role in protecting Indigenous peoples, their cultures and languages. We cannot simply rely upon respective governments around the world to protect endangered Indigenous communities, particularly those Indigenous communities who wish to remain in isolation, practicing traditional culture and maintaining their languages.”
Further information on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples can be found at the following website: https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day
For media comment:
Dr Sharlene Leroy-Dyer – Chair, NTEU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee
[email protected]
0417 239 909
For further information:
Celeste Liddle – NTEU National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Organiser
[email protected]
0401 208 670
1United Nations (2024). International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples | United Nations. United Nations. [online] Available at: https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day