Articles 14-17
14) Indigenous peoples have the right to use and develop their own education systems.
Indigenous education should allow students two be empowered by understanding their culture and give them the skills to be successful in the globalized world. The Maori Indigenous peoples in New Zealand have achieved Maori schools that are recognized by the ministry of education as well as English language schools that include Maori culture and history as part of the curriculum. Take a look at their website.
Indigenous peoples’ participation in the dominant education system can also destroy their culture. “Schooling the World” is a longer video from India about the Ladakh peoples experience with the education system.
15) Indigenous peoples have the right to be respectfully represented.
Indigenous peoples are often represented in popular culture in negative ways. An example of this is in the mascots of popular sports teams. There is a movement to #changethemascot, which aims end the use of racist terms in the American, NFL. Watch their commercial “Proud to Be”.
16) Indigenous peoples have the right to their own media.
Media is very important because it influences how people think. Indigenous media helps to show a different point of view. Here are examples of Indigenous media from Burma/Thailand, Canada and New Zealand.
17) Indigenous peoples have the right to good working conditions.
If you already have a difficult time accessing education and health care, finding a job with good working conditions will be even more difficult. This is recognized in Australia where the Charter of Indigenous Employment Rights seeks fair working conditions for Indigenous peoples.
Reflection and Activities
1) What does the Maori education system do that the school in “Schooling the World” doesn’t do?
2) How are Indigenous peoples in your area represented in popular media? Do you think that it is accurate?
4 responses to “Education, Media and Employment”