There are more than 500 million indigenous people in some 70 countries worldwide. The United Nations General Assembly on 13 September 2007 adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Indegenous was born out of the same spirit.

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Indigenous peoples are recognized largely in the context of colonialism: as the original peoples of the land. However, in the context of The Indegenous, we recognize indigenous peoples in terms of kinship, history and self-identification.

‍Although we represent 5% of the world’s population, we account for 15% of the poorest. Many of us don’t have formal recognition over our lands, territories and natural resources. And while there have been improvements in international recognition of our peoples, we still have a long way to go.

At The Indegenous, we are determined to work on implementing the solemn assertions that were made in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigeneous Peoples.

Indigenous cultural diversity is the cornerstone of our organization and by re-affirming the rights that were granted to us through the Declaration on the rights of Indigenous people, we aim to share our cultural heritage with the world through the digital spheres.

Our Mission

At the core, our mission is to reduce inequalities for indigenous peoples through youth participation in access to participate fully in the formal economy, enjoy access to justice, and participate in political processes and decision making.

The saying “The Pen is mightier than the Sword” is the motto we live by. We hope that by creating visibility for Indigenous peoples in the virtual space, we will encourage greater recognition, participation and research on this section of global society.

SDGs are at the heart of our organization

Mobilize the global response to climate change by creating links with indigenous communities through a bridge between educated indigenous youth who speak both English and their local languages to translate traditional indigenous knowledge on forest management, soil restoration, biodiversity, and organic methods for sustainable agriculture

Internally, our organizational structure follows goal 16.7 by ensuring that our values of community, collaboration, diversity and decentralization are followed in our work. We also advocate for inter-tribal and international peace and security through collaboration with indigenous peoples.

4.5 to eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations. We are doing this by encouraging indigenous children to read and write through our funded creative writing programs, a free online library and a platform for self-expression.

Advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples to reduce inequalities. Encouraging indigenous youth to achieve 10.1: to come out of the bottom 40%. Indigenous peoples represent 15% of the world's poorest people and we are using the power of youth to push for changes within our communities.

Our Values

khiamniungan women collaborating together

Community

The primary driver of our philosophy is to empower, protect and respect our tribal communities.

Diversity

In thought, principle and representation. We are determined to be inclusive of society's left behind communities.

Collaboration

Working together across nations to reduce inequalities for indigenous peoples of the world.

Decentralization

Remodelling the structures of power from top-down to bottom-up. We appreciate initiative.

Meet the team

Bhavna Choudhury, Founder at The Indegenous

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BHAVNA CHOUDHURY
Founder and Principal Coordinator

A graduate of Ecole Polytechnique and Georiga Institute of Technology, Bhavna is an avid defender of indigenous peoples rights. She belongs to the Tai-Ahom community of Assam from her mother's side.

After a consultancy at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific developing policies for emerging technologies, digital security and internet governance Bhavna has used her technical background to build The Indegenous with youth engagement in three continents. She also works at a leading renewable energy company as an International Marketing Manager.

Upasana Patgiri , Senior Researcher- The Indegenous

Devraj Kumar, junior researcher - The Indegenous

joab sangma, researcher at the Indegenous

Are you in?

Help us build this project. We are looking for young, motivated and dynamic leaders with a passion for protecting and discovering indigenous cultures.