Indigenous people live on all inhabited continents and are the descendants of the original people of these territories. Some Indigenous people retain traditional subsistence lifestyles, others have blended into modern societies, and many are somewhere in between, maintaining elements of traditional values and cultures while integrating features of surrounding societies to greater or lesser extents. Around the world, Indigenous people often experience marginalization and various health and social disparities. This presentation will give an overview of Indigenous people around the world including their persistence, resilience, and challenges. The presentation will highlight how the United Nations defines and works with Indigenous people including mechanisms like the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Interactions between social workers and Indigenous people, past and present will be described. The presentation will offer reflections on current challenges facing Indigenous Peoples and their resilience and continuity.
About the Tony Tripodi Lecture Series in International Social Work
The Tony Tripodi Lecture Series in International Social Work, open to the Columbia community and the general public, includes applications of international research to social policy, social work practice, and social work administration.