Category:Indigenous Characters

Indigenous peoples are culturally distinct groups with ancestral ties to specific lands, who have historically maintained traditions, institutions, and identities that differ from dominant societies within the states they inhabit. While there is no universally accepted definition, common characteristics include self-identification, a close connection to traditional territory, and a shared experience of marginalization or colonization. Globally, Indigenous populations number between 250 and 600 million across around 5,000 distinct groups.

International recognition of Indigenous rights has developed through agreements such as the ILO Convention No. 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, affirming rights to self-determination, cultural preservation, and land use. Despite these frameworks, Indigenous communities continue to face challenges to their sovereignty, access to resources, and cultural survival. Definitions vary by institution, but self-identification and cultural continuity are widely acknowledged as central aspects of Indigenous identity.