Indigenous peoples
Over the course of the last decade, we’ve seen a fantastic selection of work on a huge variety of different conflicts and topics related to them. Below you will find a selection of pieces entered into our international competitions, by young people from around the world. This mini series is a good starting point when considering the many different ways conflict can affect people’s lives. We hope you will dive deeper into many of the topics and learn more.
Please be aware that the information below touches on topics related to war, conflict and its effects. It may therefore not be appropriate for all audiences.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
'Of or relating to the earliest known inhabitants of a place and especially of a place that was colonised by a now dominant group.'
Merriam Webster definition
mongolian nomads against
indigenous removal
- Ellen (11-14, USA)
CONTEXT
Mongolia's Gobi Desert has extensive mining projects, which affects the herder nomads, who move around usually within a certain area. Water springs, seasonal camps and pastures of these communities have been lost to mines, and the road building, waste and water extraction that has come with it. This has made it impossible to have a livelihood, forcing them away from their homes. As nomadic people are not considered indigenous under the government or the mining investors, they are not protected under the indigenous peoples safeguards. Many nomads have stood up using legal challenges and protests, leading to an immense settlement success in one case, however forced resettlement is still an issue.
bloodshed
- JÚLIA (14-16, Brazil)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
The illustration shows the conditions of an indigenous mother and son in an attempt to return to their home, in view of the whole scenario in which this family is having to witness, after the incessant attack to their people.
when will the heaven begin?
- ANA (16-18, USA)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
My entry is a portrait of an Aztec man, representing the Aztec people that were forced into slave labor, beaten, tortured and murdered by the men of Christopher Columbus and other conquistadors. The man is wearing a metal color around his neck which is bound with chain, he is also wearing traditional Nahuatl clothing/jewellery/hair. The colors behind him represent the colors of the flag Christopher Columbus flew, and finally, the name "When Will The Heaven Begin?" Because the Spanish Conquistadors forced Catholicism on the Aztec people.
Don't ignore the red paint
- Grace (16-18, USA)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
I chose to do my piece on MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women). MMIW is unfortunately not discussed often and many victims and protesters go unheard. In 2016, there were 5,712 known cases of missing and murdered indigenous women and they are ten times the national average to be murdered. My piece features an indigenous woman with a red handprint on her face and in the background. The red handprint over the mouth is a symbol of being silenced and many have worn it in solidarity.
'Run, run, run'
- Yun-CHIEH (11-14, Taiwan)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
What war means to me is I am forced to leave my country and drifting like rootless weed. The three running men holding things precious to them symbolised culture, education and values. In a hope that one day with these they can build a place called home again.
indigenismo XXI
- Joaquin, emil, julia, avelina, rafaela and anna paula (16-18, Ecuador)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
The Indegenismo, an art movement from the last century, was a silent voice that denounced social inequality in Ecuador; today it is a political party that was very closed to be in the upcoming presidential elections, this young group of Ecuadorians reflect on their own individuality and its present reality, how an unhurt story has become a major voice.
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