Recognizing partnership with Indigenous People

YEARS have now elapsed since the infusion of the concept of indigenization in Philippine Education. As one who is active in promoting indigenization, I realize one great thing about educating youth in their own cultures - that it can eliminate prejudice and discrimination targeted at indigenous peoples.

I am a member of an indigenous community and I have always been aware of the many cases of prejudice directed to my Igorot tribe simply because others presented indigenous cultures in a derogatory manner. It is nice now that schools in Baguio and in other places across the country are implementing programs that allow for an exchange of information and experiences, and allows for greater understanding of indigenous peoples.

Children who have been alienated to their own culture as a result maybe of either migration, modernization, etc. are now again introduced and made familiar of their ancestor’s ways and have been reconnected to their roots. I agree that the program of indigenous education would continue to set indigenous youth closer to their own ancestries. And in as much as education is the key to self-determination, it is hence recommended that educational instruction take place in indigenous setting--meaning that there should always be an integration of local ideas in the curriculum that would emphasize that indigenous peoples’ cultures should be respected and protected.

Education is an important measure in preserving those cultural characteristics. Educators in this respect, are urged to design materials sensitive and sacred sites, as to the cultural and well as recognizing educational needs of traditional lands and indigenous natural resources will help establish identity. peoples. We are all cognizant Catering of the fact that our to the needs of indigenous children have fallen peoples would prey to policies emphasizing help them take pride in foreign cultures their indigenous background. at the expense of The importance what are indigenous. of preserving indigenous Ignoring indigenous languages ways and means of living

FOR SWAP has the potential to sever ties between indigenous youth and their ancestors, damaging the confidence of their people and heritage.

Cultural diversity plays a vital role in today’s globalized world and that culture is an essential element of sustainable development. Whichever cultural spectrum we are in, let us not allow commercial tourism to destroy our cultural integrity and distort our indigenous history. Let us continue to address indigenous issues and push forward initiatives on cultural rights through education and eradicate ignorance on the part of others who see indigenous tribes as inferior over theirs. We can best do all these by developing partnerships with indigenous peoples themselves. We continue to support democratic cultural policies that allow for the right of participation in cultural life for indigenous peoples and give them the opportunity to have their own life as well as allow them to have control over their own resources.

Marilyn Tami-ng