International Day of the
World’s Indigenous Peoples
August 9th, 2023
Each year, August 9th is observed globally as International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. It’s a day to reflect on the challenges Indigenous peoples face all over the world and to take steps toward promoting and protecting their rights through environmental justice initiatives. The event recognizes and honors their achievements, and it’s a great time to reflect on and celebrate Indigenous culture, tradition, and heritage.
In celebration, Montrose is proud to highlight team members and share what International Day of the World’s Indigenous People means to our team.
Indigenous Peoples around the world
Indigenous peoples maintain their own distinct cultures and methods of interacting with both people and the environment. They possess social, cultural, economic, and political traits that are separate from those of the dominant societies they reside in.
People of Indigenous descent inhabit every corner of the globe and own, occupy, or utilize approximately 22% of the earth’s total land area. With a population of at least 370-500 million, Indigenous Peoples make up a significant portion of the world’s cultural variety. They speak the majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
Despite their cultural differences, Indigenous Peoples from various parts of the world face similar challenges regarding
safeguarding their unique rights. A majority experience marginalization, severe poverty, and other forms of violation of human rights.
Bryana Clark
Bryana Clark
Environmental Analyst | Montrose
How did you find your way to where you are today at MEG?
I was recruited by Montrose at the fall UC Davis career fair in 2022. I was interviewed after discussing with the people at the career day that I had written a paper published in the Davis Journal of Legal Studies about Native American land rights and stewardship.
What’s an important lesson you’ve learned and how has it proven invaluable?
An important lesson I have learned is: as crucial as it is to speak up, it is even more pertinent to sit back and listen. This has proven valuable in situations where my initial assumptions were incorrect and I realized that if I would’ve taken just a second longer to listen, the misunderstanding could’ve been prevented.
What has been helpful to you in navigating and connecting to a larger organization?
Outreach from Montrose Environmental Solutions to UC Davis and their presence at the UC Davis career fairs.
What does “International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples” mean to you?
International Day of Indigenous Peoples is a day that commemorates the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in 1982. The day was created to raise awareness of the needs within our Indigenous communities. However, to me, International Day of Indigenous Peoples is a day that brings visibility to the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), culture, language, traditions, and resilience of Indigenous people worldwide. To me, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is no different than every day. We should strive every day to platform the voices of Indigenous communities.
Suzanne Life-Yeomans
Suzanne Life-Yeomans
Director, Indigenous Relations | Matrix
What motivations fueled your career path?
Not growing up in my Nation, I wanted to be a part of the Nations that I live around and help them thrive. All my boards and events I volunteer for are to help Indigenous people in some way to better their lives and hopefully change society to do better.
What do you like best about Matrix/Montrose?
That we are working with Indigenous peoples to keep Mother Earth safe and thriving for future generations.
What are your favorite parts of your job?
Working with Indigenous peoples in their Nations, learning about their history and knowledge. I love to learn, both from a book and from Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers.
How did you find your way to where you are today at Matrix?
I have worked for many different governments over my career and decided to go a different route as I had not previously worked for an environmental company. Matrix aligns with my core beliefs: to preserve Mother Earth for future generations.
What does “International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples” mean to you?
It means a time to reflect and educate people on our true history. I truly believe that we need to educate that we are ALL TREATY PEOPLE and then teach people what that means.
Environmental Justice Reflections
