There are around 370 million indigenous people in over 70 countries according to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). But who defines these numbers, and how?

💡 Fun Fact: It's just like counting the number of people in your class. It seems easy, but what if the classroom walls are unclear, or some students refuse to be counted? That's the dilemma UNPFII faces!

Indigenous people enjoy certain protections and rights under both national and international law. Just like why you, as a student, have rights in school, like the right to a safe environment. They might also be given benefits for affirmative action, similar to how some students might get extra help if they're struggling in a subject.

There's no fixed definition of "Indigenous" under international law due to the wide variety of experiences and cultures these peoples have. It's like trying to define "Teenager"—you all share a certain age range, but have different interests, backgrounds, and beliefs. Even the term "Indigenous" can be contentious, with some rejecting it as it often defines their experience through the lens of colonization.

Instead, many prefer "Indigenous knowledges" to emphasize their unique cultural experiences and wisdom. It's like you preferring to be recognized for your unique skills and achievements, not just as a "teenager".

There are times when indigenous peoples have found it beneficial to come together under one banner for political purposes. This strategy, referred to as "strategic essentialism" by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, is like when students form a union to make their demands heard by the school administration.