11/08/2026
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2026
To commemorate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed annually on 9 August 2026, we would like to draw attention to the need for protecting Indigenous knowledge, languages, culture, environment and institutions, as well as carrying out research and educational collaborations.
In keeping with this theme, Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur, has submitted a concept note to the Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University, via the Head, Department of Anthropology, recommending the formation of a Global Indigenous Studies Centre (GISC) at Manipur University.
The Global Indigenous Studies Centre (GISC) being proposed is to be an interdisciplinary university-wide centre for research, education, documentation, training, publications, community engagement and international collaboration in research. Based in Manipur and Northeast India, the Centre will seek to bring local scholarship into conversation with scholarship from South Asia, Southeast Asia and the world.
The proposed areas of academic engagement include Indigenous and tribal languages, culture transmission, environment and climate, food systems and livelihoods, health and well-being, customary institutions and governance, education, gender, youth, borderlands, migrations, peace, digital technologies and ethical knowledge governance.
One of the key principles of the Centre being recommended is that of communities becoming participants in the generation of knowledge rather than becoming mere objects of study. Knowledge holders, community elders, community historians, language specialists, farmers, artists, practitioners and young scholars may become active participants in scholarly research.
In addition to being a Centre of academic excellence, it aims to be ethical in research, reciprocal, participatory and collaborative, while being respectful of diversity and accountable institutions.
The photos document important milestones of this initiative: discussion and submission via the Head, Department of Anthropology, and the milestone after submitting the concept note to the Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University.
It is our hope that Manipur University becomes not only a place where Indigenous communities are studied, but also an internationally respected centre where knowledge generated from Manipur and Northeast India contributes to scholarship and humanity.