“The diversity of cultures and languages lies with indigenous peoples.”
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, executive director of Tebtebba, shared about indigenous knowledge, cultural identity, and resource conservation during the Indigenous Peoples Month Celebration and 26th Commemoration of IPRA, also known as the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 or Republic Act 8371, at the National Economic Development Authority - Regional Development Council (NEDA-RDC) Hall in Baguio City, Philippines on October 18, 2023 organized by the NEDA Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) through its Committee on Indigenous Peoples' Concerns (CIPC) in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples - Cordillera Administrative Region (NEDA-CAR) and the University of the Philippines Baguio.
During her presentation, Tauli-Corpuz highlighted the importance of national and international instruments, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the IPRA7, that protects the rights of indigenous peoples in the country.
The Tebtebba executive director emphasized the critical role of Indigenous Peoples in preserving cultures and biodiversity and their contribution in climate solutions. She pointed out provisions and articles that focused on indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination and cultural integrity.
The former UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples concluded her presentation by sharing the challenges, recommendations, and gains of indigenous peoples in the Philippines.