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OAS to Celebrate Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples

The Organization of American States (OAS) will celebrate, from August 5 to 9, the Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples, with events that highlight the cultural diversity, traditions, languages and contributions of indigenous peoples of the region.

Under the theme “Indigenous Languages of the Americas,” and in keeping with the United Nations designation of 2019 as the Year of Indigenous Languages, the OAS hold the following activities:

• August 5 – 9: An Art and Book Exhibition on Indigenous Peoples. The exhibition will take place at Marcus Garvey Hall of Culture at OAS headquarters and will include paintings, photographs and musical instruments depicting the importance of language as a conduit for cultural expression.
  
  
• August 6: A private tour of the National Museum of the American Indian designed to raise awareness of the history and reality of the indigenous peoples of the region. Attendees will include representatives from OAS Permanent and Observer Missions, and authorities from the General Secretariat.
  
  
• August 7: The Permanent Council and the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) will hold a special joint meeting at OAS headquarters in Washington DC, to commemorate the Year of Indigenous Languages. Speakers include: Esther Kuisch-Laroche, Director and Representative of UNESCO Office for Central America; Luis Felipe Duchicela, Senior Advisor for Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) (Ecuador); Petita Ayarza, first Panamanian woman of indigenous descent to be elected as a Representative in the National Assembly (Panama); and participating via video conference, Juan Gregorio Regino, Director General of the Mexican National Institute of Indigenous Languages of Mexico (Mexico).
  
  
• August 8:  A forum focusing on “Globalization and the Preservation of Indigenous Languages and Cultures: the Role of Youth & Technology,” at the Hall of the Americas at the Organization’s headquarters.  The event will include panel discussions with prominent indigenous representatives of the Hemisphere and national authorities with responsibility for policy on indigenous peoples, as well as musical and cultural performances.  Expert panelists at the forum will include:
  
  
  • Luis Felipe Duchicela, Senior Advisor for Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID);
    
    
  • Mary S. Linn, Curator of Cultural and Linguistic Revitalization, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage;
    
    
  • Miguel G. Vilar, Senior Program Officer, Human Journey, Lead Scientist, Geographic Project, National Geographic; and
    
    
  • a video presentation by Gabriela Badillo, Creator of 68 VOICES México. Miguel Angel Pellao, tenor from Chile, and Yahaira Tubac Toj, pianist from Guatemala will also perform at the forum. 

WHAT: Art and Book exhibition on Indigenous Peoples

WHEN:  August 5-9, 2019

WHERE: Marcus Garvey Hall of Culture
                Organization of American States
                17th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW
                Washington, DC 20006

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WHAT: Special Joint Meeting of the Permanent Council and the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) on Indigenous Peoples

WHEN: Wednesday August 7, 2019 at 10:00 am

WHERE: Simon Bolivar Hall
                Organization of American States
                17th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW
                Washington, DC 20006

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WHAT: Forum on Globalization and the Preservation of Indigenous Languages and Cultures: the Role of Youth & Technology

WHEN: Thursday, August 8, 2018 from 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Hall of the Americas
                Organization of American States
                17th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW
                Washington, DC 20006

Reference: AVI-154/19