International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples / Indigenous Peoples World Map
Indigenous Peoples World Map
Children locate and learn facts about Indigenous peoples around the world, such as the Sámi, Māori, Inuit, Maasai and Ainu, and build a shared wall map.
How to run it
- Explain that the United Nations marks this day on 9 August, and that more than 470 million Indigenous people live in around 90 countries.
- Prepare fact cards using reliable sources for several peoples, for example Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (Australia), Māori (Aotearoa New Zealand), Sámi (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia), Inuit (Canada, Greenland, Alaska), Maasai (Kenya, Tanzania), Ainu (Japan) and Quechua (the Andes).
- In small groups, children read a card and pin it to the right place on a large world map with string.
- Each group shares one fact, such as a language spoken, with the whole group.
You will need
- large world map
- fact cards
- string
- pins or tape
Make it easier or harderYounger children match a picture of a landscape to the map; older children research and write an extra fact card.
SafetyUse reliable sources and photographs from the communities' own organisations, and avoid stereotyped images or costumes.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 2, Outcome 4Children build understanding of Indigenous peoples worldwide and the diversity of human cultures.
Fits these theme days
International Day of the World's Indigenous PeoplesAround the World DayCulture Celebration DayNAIDOC WeekHarmony Day
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