Celebrate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples around the world will continue to be critical stewards of knowledge, language, culture, and unique ways of relating to people, animals, and the environment. It is paramount that we continue to share and build awareness for the stories, communities, and political characteristics of these cultures. Sustaining this valuable knowledge for current and future generations to learn from, connect with, and celebrate will help us all create a more equitable and inclusive world.

In honor of the more than 476 million indigenous peoples currently living in 90 countries across the world (less than 5% of the global population, as reported by the UN), today we celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples by highlighting Minecraft creators and content centering on indigenous cultures around the world. 

Find more about these Creator Stories, and related lesson plans to explore, featured in this article:

Created in Canada, one project transports students back in time to Manitoba as it existed prior to European contact in North America. They’ll live amongst the Anishinaabe Peoples in order to learn and understand how they thrived on this land together while living in harmony with Mother Earth. See the video here and learn more from this article.

From Australia, you’ll discover the importance of National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week. This is Australia’s largest celebration of the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Follow their story of cultural connections and inclusiveness in their community.

Additional stories come from New Zealand, where one father designed the Nga Motu world in Minecraft to share his Indigenous experience with his son and other children in the community. This immersive, inclusive project brings to life the experiences of Indigenous cultures, while building social-emotional skills throughout the community as students work together to explore their country’s national language and history.

This was such a meaningful experience for students and teachers alike, a partnership with CORE was developed to expand access to the content and include it in school curriculum requirements. The story of Maori culture continues with this Meet a Minecrafter: OMGTech! video, where we see how the Indigenous Māori people of New Zealand have developed their culture since the 1300’s, rich with customs, cultural practices, and the language of Te Reo Māori.

You can also check out the submissions from a Global Build Challenge where students submitted cultural stories of Indigenous Peoples from around the world, shared through projects in Minecraft: Education Edition. We hope these immersive learning experiences inspire creators, educators, and students to explore Indigenous history, culture, and people.