Every October 12, we celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, which honors the voices, cultures and histories of Indigenous communities around the world. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges they continue to face despite the work being done to protect their rights, identities and futures.
There are approximately 476 million people who identify as Indigenous, representing thousands of diverse languages, traditions and knowledge systems that have been passed down through generations. Global Voices, a global multilingual network dedicated to amplifying the stories of local communities for a global audience through writing, translation, training and fellowships, is one organization that helps ensure underrepresented voices and languages are heard online. To highlight how Indigenous communities are protecting and advancing their rights, Global Voices’ August Spotlight series was dedicated to Indigenous Rights, and provided diverse perspectives from across many regions.
Beyond Global Voices’ work to bring more voices online extends well beyond this Spotlight series. Rising Voices, an initiative launched nearly two decades ago, works year-round to help Indigenous and endangered language speakers benefit from the Internet and emerging technologies for self-representation on their own terms. Through network-building, training projects and literacy programs, Rising Voices helps communities strengthen their digital presence, share their stories and preserve their languages for future generations.
Earlier this year, Rising Voices convened Mayan language digital activists in Chiapas, Mexico, for a workshop titled “Artificial intelligence, accountability, and Indigenous self-determination.” Participants learned about AI literacy and had the opportunity to share their questions and concerns about AI, including the lack of transparency around AI’s data usage and a lack of representation in AI governance. Participants acknowledged the opportunities AI offers as a means of language and culture preservation, but also pushed back on some of the narratives around inevitability and expressed they often feel pressure to develop these technologies. Instead, participants stated a desire to pause and reflect, and make informed decisions, following their own timelines.
Our commitment to supporting speakers working to protect their own Indigenous languages and rights extends beyond internal initiatives. As part of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 – 2032), Global Voices partnered with UNESCO to develop “Digital Initiatives for Indigenous Languages.” Created in collaboration with Indigenous digital activists, language champions and community partners from Latin America, Africa, Asia, North America and Oceania, this resource showcases how Indigenous communities are using the Internet to promote, strengthen and revitalize their languages, and the resource serves as a way to inspire other communities who want to incorporate these digital technologies in their language revitalization efforts.
Indigenous communities have long been leaders in protecting their cultures and rights, often in the face of significant challenges. For the past twenty years, we have supported communities to have access to the resources and peer learning networks that can help continue this work of promoting and sharing their language in digital spaces.
As we recognize Indigenous People’s Day, it is important to remember that Indigenous rights include the right to freely express themselves and access information in their own language, and this especially includes through the use of digital technologies. We’re pleased to be a member of CODI, joining other organizations committed to helping to facilitate a more multilingual Internet, where all communities are free to exercise their rights, deciding how they represent themselves online.
Guest post by Eddie Avila, Managing Director, Global Voices
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