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The Indigenous: People, Places, and traditions lecture outline De0fin1ing 02 ‘Indigenous’The IPs of the Philippines Defining indigenous “Minorities” The term commonly refers to specific cultural groups that exist in a variety of geo-political and social settings, usually as a minority. Continuity Directly related to indigeneity that signify a so- called ‘traditional’ life-style distinguished from modernity and pursued in continuity with the traditions of concrete peoples that go back centuries Diverse Indigenous peoples as a concept is as diverse as the traditions they preserve. It cannot be captured in a single definition. THREE MAJOR APPROACHES Social Science Perspective Legal perspective Political perspective a mode of thought emerging from experience of analyzing Indigenous realities by means of scientific theories and from a social position of scientific enterprise. resulting from conceiving Indigenous realities from a position of law, and focused on solving problems emerging from social and political relations between groups with the status of ‘Indigenous peoples’ and the states in which they exist, by means of the law. emerging from experiences of resistance by individuals claiming Indigenous identity against those legal and social conceptions about indigeneity that have been imposed upon their peoples. THE SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE Focuses on the socio-historical realities of what has been termed indigeneity. This perspective can be found in a variety of disciplines, most significantly in anthropology, postcolonial studies, history, conservation, biology, ecology, political science (especially in studies of political resistance), sociology, and to some extent in geology, archaeology, and area studies. Defining indigenous PEOPLES Indigenous peoples’ communities are found in the forests, mountains, lowlands and coastal areas of the country and are in varied levels of socio-economic development. Defining indigenous PEOPLES Swidden farming, settled agriculture, hunting and gathering, livestock raising, fishing and production and trade in local handicrafts. “land is life” They are known for their close attachment to ancestral land, territory and resources. and....so.... Indigenous peoples are among the poorest and most marginalized sectors of Philippine society. They experience neglect and discrimination in the provision of basic social services by the Government 2008 budget shows that regions with highest concentrations of Indigenous peoples get the smallest allocations from the national government. CONTINUIUNG ISSUES The general health situation in regions and provinces with the largest concentrations of Indigenous peoples is below the national average. CONTINUIUNG ISSUES Indigenous peoples experience seasonal to chronic food shortages during the year. Due to loss of ancestral land because of development projects and extractive industries including mining, dams, logging or natural causes. ATTEMPTS TO DEFINE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS Original Inhabitants description projects the meaning of indigeneity as native and/or autochthonous to a particular location, often with an emphasis on the historical priority of inhabitation of a particular place. Defining indigenous PEOPLES IN THE PHILIPPINES Officially recognized by the Philippine Constitution and the Indigenous Peoples‟ Rights Act (IPRA). There are no accurate figures on the population of Indigenous peoples because of the lack of any formal census. The IPs of the Philippines Stories of Struggles Republic Act 8371 Indigenous peoples in the philippines have experienced a long history of discrimination. Rejecting foreign domination and acculturation, they were left out from mainstream development and were largely excluded from socio-economic and political participation in mainstream society. Also known as the “Indigenous Peoples Rights Act” (1997, IPRA), recognized the right of IPs to manage their ancestral domains; it has become the cornerstone of current national policy on IPs 75 50 25 0 Northern Luzon Mindana o The Philippines is a culturally diverse country with an estimated 14- 17 million Indigenous Peoples (IPs) belonging to 110 ethno-linguistic groups. They are mainly concentrated in Northern Luzon (Cordillera Administrative Region, 33%) and Mindanao (61%), with some groups in the Visayas area. Ancestral domains Identity The Indigenous Peoples are known for their ancestral domains. This is tightly rooted from the idea of their identities tied to their lands. Since the indigenous peoples are generally dependent on agriculture, although some indigenous groups like those in the island provinces are dependent on fishing, their ancestral domains become both their homes and their sense of self. Historical Continuity of Way of Life The community or the groups’ distinct way of life (e.g. religion, tribal system of governance, dress, means of livelihood, lifestyle, etc.). This tradition based culture is inherited from a group of people in a particular territory prior to colonization or the establishment of a modern state; The Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines and the world continue to struggle and fight for their rights and ancestral domains. In the following lessons, may we learn to appreciate them and eventually become a part of their fight for right and identity.