Indigenous Peoples

The objectives of the Stakeholders Roundtable for Indigenous People are to:

• Develop priorities of Indigenous peoples in cities

• Highlight the challenges to employment, land and participation

• Engage Indigenous youth in dialogue and priority-setting

• Engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders in a collaborative approach

Indigenous peoples, like the rest of the world, are increasingly migrating to urban areas, either voluntarily or through necessity. Urban migration is often the result of land dispossession, poverty and lack of employment opportunities. The increasing urbanisation is both a cause and effect of the corrosion of traditional culture and livelihoods.
Whether in cities or not, indigenous peoples often do not gain equal benefits from urbanization. Across the world, indigenous peoples are marginalized and discriminated against, whether formally or informally. They are subjected to both economic and social factors that inhibit their human rights and have less access to education, poor land rights and poor access to employment and basic services. Of particular concern, indigenous people have less voice in government and are less able to participate in urban development. In cities, indigenous peoples face challenges in sustaining their identity, culture and language.
In particular, indigenous youth represent a large potential workforce, which can provide significant benefit to a local economy. However, young indigenous peoples face challenges in access to education, employment and identity. Indigenous youth have even less access to governance and decision-making, and fewer land rights.

Q1: How can local governments ensure and actively promote the participation of Indigenous Peoples, particularly Indigenous youth

Q2: What are the particular challenges that Indigenous Peoples face to accessing employment?

Q3: What are the 3 priority areas for Indigenous Peoples in cities?t

Q4: What tools can be used to improve Indigenous land rights?