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OAS Celebrates Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples

The Organization of American States (OAS) will celebrate the fifth annual Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples from August 8 to 12, 2022, with several events designed to highlight the significant role played by indigenous women in preserving, reviving, retaining, and transmitting traditional ancestral knowledge in various fields of communal activities.

Under the theme “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge in the Americas,” the commemorative week will address the challenges faced by indigenous women and the opportunities that exist to protect and further advance their socio-economic standing.

This year’s activities will include:

• August 8 to 12: A virtual exhibition by the Art Museum of the Americas, which will include artwork depicting themes related to Indigenous women as well as traditional indigenous knowledge, culture, and history. The exhibition will be displayed on the OAS website and social media.
• August 8 to 12: Short films which showcase the stories of indigenous women who are preserving traditional knowledge and culture will be aired virtually at the OAS website.
• August 9: A special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and the Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples. This special meeting will feature high level authorities from sub-regions of the hemisphere and will offer an opportunity for constructive dialogue with member states. The meeting will be livestreamed through the Organization’s media platforms.

Additionally, the OAS will pay tribute to indigenous young women content creators in its Voices from the Americas podcast series. The episodes will highlight the work and contributions of these women in the preservation of Indigenous ancestral knowledge.

The General Secretariat’s offices in member states will also hold cultural events focused on the preservation and transmission of Indigenous traditional knowledge, including activities in the form of stories, songs, folklore, proverbs, rituals, gastronomy, dances, paintings, carvings or other art forms.

Established in 2018 by the OAS Permanent Council through Resolution 1094, this seminal Week aims to promote the traditions, languages, history, and societal contributions of indigenous peoples of the Americas. The week is celebrated annually around August 9 to coincide with the observation of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

WHAT: Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples

WHEN: August 8-12, 2022

WHERE: OAS Headquarters, General Secretariat Offices in Member States and on social media

Reference: E-041/22