Indigenous Peoples

A closer look at the first people in the USA, Australia and New Zealand

Accessibility icon Indigenous Peoples

What are Indigenous Peoples?

The term «Indigenous Peoples» refers to the original inhabitants of regions around the world. There are over 476 million indigenous people across the world, living in 90 different countries.

In 2007, the United Nations (UN) adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to safeguard their rights. Historically, Indigenous peoples have faced oppression and discrimination from dominant societies. It is crucial to acknowledge their distinct cultures, histories, and connections to the land to protect their rights.

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First Nations Women performing a Fancy Shawl Dance in a grass field with a river background
First Nations Women performing a Fancy Shawl Dance in a grass field with a river background

The Native Americans

Long before the Europeans set foot on American soil in the late 15th century, the American continent was inhabited by Indigenous peoples, commonly known as Native Americans. Comprising over 500 distinct tribes, each had its own languages, traditions, and lifestyles.

Three dancers dressed in vibrant traditional costume of a North American aboriginal from British Columbia, Canada. Includes feathers, bones, beadwork and bells.
Three dancers dressed in vibrant traditional costume of a North American aboriginal from British Columbia, Canada. Includes feathers, bones, beadwork and bells.

Respect for nature

The Indigenous tribes revered nature, taking only what was necessary for survival. They viewed themselves as guardians of the earth and believed in living harmoniously with nature.

Significant aspects of their culture include ceremonies like the Sun Dance and structures like totem poles, adorned with carvings of animals and spirits.

A totem pole against a blue sky
A totem pole against a blue sky

Rituals are important

Ceremonies are a big part of Native American life. Take the Sun Dance, for instance, practised by the Plains tribes. This is a ritual to connect with the spiritual world and ensure the tribe’s well-being. Totem poles, mainly associated with tribes of the Pacific Northwest, are another fascinating aspect. These tall wooden structures, adorned with carvings of animals and spirits, tell stories, or represent clan lineages.

Nowadays, Native Americans strive to maintain these unique practices and beliefs in a world that’s vastly different from that of their ancestors.

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Native american dancing in traditional clothes
Native american dancing in traditional clothes

The Aboriginal people of Australia

Before Australia was explored by Europeans in the 17th century, it had been home to the world’s oldest living cultures for over 65,000 years.

📷 Aboriginal Australian people of the Yirrganydji people at a cultural show in Queensland, Australia.

These are the Indigenous peoples of Australia, often grouped into two main categories: the Aboriginal peoples of the mainland and Tasmania, and the Torres Strait Islanders from the islands between Australia and Papua New Guinea.

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Aboriginal Australian people of the Yirrganydji people at a cultural show in Queensland, Australia. Dressed in traditional costumes
Aboriginal Australian people of the Yirrganydji people at a cultural show in Queensland, Australia. Dressed in traditional costumes

Dreamtime

For Australia’s Aboriginal peoples, the Dreamtime is a sacred era that is both the distant past and an ever-present force. Dreamtime is more than just a collection of stories; it is the very essence of Aboriginal worldview and spirituality.

📷 Aboriginal painting, Baiame Cave.

These tales tell of how ancestral spirits moved across the barren land, creating rivers, mountains, plants, and animals. They are not just tales; they represent the world view of the Aboriginal peoples, explaining the creation of the world, the land, and its creatures. For these groups, the land isn’t just soil or rocks; it’s deeply spiritual and alive.

Each story is a lesson about morality, nature, and how humans should live within the world.

Stories told in many ways

These stories are not just passed down orally. They are also depicted in art, dance, and ceremonies, ensuring that every generation understands and respects its ancestral traditions.

A distinctive aspect of Australian Indigenous cultures is the Dreamtime stories.

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Aboriginal painting, Baiame Cave
Aboriginal painting, Baiame Cave

Aboriginal art

Aboriginal art, with its iconic dot paintings, tells stories and conveys information about the land, animals, and Dreamtime stories. The didgeridoo, a wind instrument, has its origins with Indigenous Australians and is played during ceremonial events.

📷  Austrailan Digeridoos in Cairns, Australia.
A few different digeridoos instruments
A few different digeridoos instruments

The Māori of New Zealand

Europeans reached the shores of New Zealand in the 17th century, but before that the islands had been home to a vibrant and unique culture for centuries. This is the world of the Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people.

📷  Maori warriors perform a Haka (dance of welcome).
Maori warriors perform a Haka
Maori warriors perform a Haka

Rich culture

The Māori arrived in New Zealand around the 13th century, navigating vast oceans using stars and ocean currents. They developed a rich culture, with intricate carvings, powerful war dances called ‘haka’, and tattoos known as ‘moko’, which tell personal stories and indicate a person’s status.

Close up portrait of a beautiful Maori businesswoman outdoors in the workplace with traditional tattoo on her chin
Close up portrait of a beautiful Maori businesswoman outdoors in the workplace with traditional tattoo on her chin

Family and kin are important

Communities, or ‘iwi’, played a central role in Māori life. Each iwi had its own history, lands, and chieftain, and relationships between iwi could be both cooperative and competitive.

📷  A Maori marae entrance, Tapawera, New Zealand.
Maori marae entrance Tapawera, New Zealand
Maori marae entrance Tapawera, New Zealand

Core beliefs

At the heart of Māori culture are core beliefs that have shaped this people’s way of life for centuries. Central to this is the bond between humans, nature, and the spiritual world. The Māori believe in ‘whakapapa’, which is all about connections and ancestry. It is the genealogical descent from gods to humans, linking them to the natural world. A tree, river, or mountain isn’t just a physical entity; it’s an ancestor.

📷  Sunrise at Te Mata Peak, New Zealand
Sunrise at Te Mata Peak, New Zealand
Sunrise at Te Mata Peak, New Zealand

Belief in spiritual power

Another core belief is ‘mana’. This refers to a spiritual power or authority that can be found in people, objects, or the environment. Mana is a mark of respect and honour.

Lastly, there’s ‘tapu’, often translated as ‘sacred’. Tapu is a restriction, setting apart certain things, people, or places because of their sacred nature. Together, these beliefs shape the Māori’s interactions with the world around them, fostering respect, understanding, and a sense of unity.

📷  Sacred mountain spring.
Raindrops create ripples across the crystal clear water of this sacred mountain spring.
Raindrops create ripples across the crystal clear water of this sacred mountain spring.

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