Introduction
Indigenous peoples may be defined as a group of ethnic individuals who occupy a certain geographical region and it has also been established that this group bears the earliest historical relationships with such a region. This is in comparison with the immigrants to such a region, and who have over the years multiplied in numbers to an extent that the initial inhabitants have greatly been outnumbered (Grey & Postero 2004).
Several indigenous ethnic people are still existent today. Some of the well known and whose existence has extensively been documented over the years include the Aborigines in Australia, the Maori from New Zealand, the Red Indians in the United States (better known as the native Americans), as well as the Mayan people from Guatemala, to name but a few. It is important to note that the indigenous peoples possess unique ideas, knowledge, and skills that call for intellectual protection, lest we risk losing such a rich cultural heritage. Also worthy of note is the fact that indigenous people have made a major accomplishment, both as a community or as individuals.
Indigenous people accomplishments
In terms of accomplishments by these indigenous people, a lot has been recorded, although these individual bears a technological history that is a far cry from what we have today, in terms of development. The indigenous people may not be well versed with the latest form of technology, but they have in their special way achieved major accomplishments that warrant recognition.
For example, the indigenous people of South and North America were able to erect suspension bridges, enormous buildings that are earthquake-proof, transport systems for water, as well as paved roads that transverses thousands of kilometers, some of which still find use today (Grey & Postero 2004). We also have the Mayan people, whose technique of obsidian blade production has been borrowed by the makers of surgical instruments, with the result that more efficient surgical blades are now produced, thanks to the technology of the Mayan people.
On the other hand, the special artistic gift that the Maori tribe has been blessed with is an accomplishment that also needs to be mentioned here. The artwork of this tribe has served to inspire many individuals, along with their music (Garroutte 2003). The aboriginal people have also been shown to possess various developmental initiatives that have come in handy in their quest to solving developmental issues. At a personal level, there are several persons from the aboriginal tribe that has accomplished major fetes in the world. For example, we have Cathy Freeman, a splinter from Australia, and who has been associated with the aboriginal tribe. She helped her country win gold in the 4oo miters during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia.
Another aborigine who has been noted for having accomplished a major feat at the 1996 Olympics games in Atlanta, Georgia, is the Australian Nova Peris-Kneebone, who helped the country’s hockey team to success. These two personalities have gone down the annals of history in Australia as the first aborigines to have brought Olympic success to the country. The Native Americans have also left an indelible mark in the academic field.
For example, as of 2006, it was reported that there were 13 indigenous archeologists in the United States (Chanthaphonh & Fergusson 2007). Such a number may seem small relative to their non-indigenous counterparts, but when we take into account the hardships that this group of Americans has to overcome along the way, we then appreciate that this is indeed no small fete.
Works cited
Chanthaphonh, Colwell, & Fergusson, John. Collaboration in archeological practice: engaging descendant communities. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.
Garroutte, Eva. Real Indians: identity and the survival of Native America. – California: University of California Press, 2003.
Grey, Nancy & Postero, León. The struggle for indigenous rights in Latin America Sussex: Sussex academic press, 2004.