Every year in August is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. A day that ensures the world takes time every year to recognize Indigenous peoples globally.

The United Nations declared the day at Aug. 9, marking the first UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations 40 years ago in 1982. This year the theme is The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.

This day and this theme resonates with the work of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

We know that Indigenous women, especially Elders and Knowledge Keepers, are key in preserving and sharing traditional knowledge. However, despite their important role with knowledge, in leadership, and as caretakers, too often they are impacted by discrimination based on gender, class and ethnicity. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2 Spirit People are still a significant issue in Canada.

This International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, we ask people to take time to learn about the issues facing Indigenous women, but also celebrate some of the incredible stories of Indigenous women in leadership, activism, arts, and more.