The term "indigenous peoples" refers to us, the more than 12 million descendants of the original inhabitants of this archipelago who have somehow managed to resist centuries of colonization and in the process have retained their own customs, traditions and life ways. Our ancestors were once upon a time the only inhabitants on these islands, and as such even during those early times, already exhibited the attributes of independent states, namely: people, territory, government (through their customs and traditions and indigenous socio-political institutions), and sovereignty (for they were free and independent communities). Later, when they resisted Spanish colonization and refused to be subdued, they were called infidels, pagans, savages.
Under American rule, our predecessors had been called non-Christian tribes. In modern times, we became known as cultural minorities, or tribal Filipinos, Only lately have we been lumped up in the generic term "indigenous cultural communities" or the more politically correct term "indigenous peoples" of the Philippines. For the more culturally sensitive, we are called by our beautiful names such as Ifugao, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalinga, Isneg, Tingguian, Bugkalot, Dumagat, Aeta, Ati, Mangyan, Manobo, Tagbanua, Teduray, Subanen, T'boli, Bagobo, and Higaonon and about a hundred other tribes.
But today, when one speaks of indigenous peoples, it is not so much about their beautiful story as peace-loving communities bound to Mother Nature and Father Spirit of the Universe; nor their talents and skills and accomplishments. For the term indigenous peoples has been made synonymous to oppression, exploitation, discrimination and poverty. They, whose ancestors were once the proud rulers of this land, are now the scum of the earth, the so-called poorest of the poor in the Philippines.
Source: Speech of Atty. Evelyn S. Dunuan for the Asian Regional Consulation on Poverty Reduction delivered at the Asian Development Bank, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig on October 1, 2001 |
