In this dynamic world, many changes have been introduced since then. The rise of the digital age has contributed much to the way people do things around. For example, the way people interact with others through texts and video chats, the way they shop items online, and even in the manner of how they work and earn these days. Especially with the current social distancing protocol and stay-at-home measures, technology has shown the people’s dependence on it.
However, with this tremendous and recurring transformation, some aspects of the people’s rich culture have also started to perish. Because of modernization, some old traditions have been obliterated. This is because some have become a health hazard, while others lost its essence and maybe some of its followers.
With this pressing issue in mind, The Global Initiative for Indigenous Advancement, Inc, or GIIA aims to help the Indigenous People in preserving what needs to be protected.
As a nonprofit organization that was created back in 2000, GIIA exists to serve the Indigenous communities around the world by addressing the plight of the native people and maintaining their ideals in this ever-changing society. After all, the natives have contributed a lot to how the people are today. Their rich culture, coupled with tradition, has helped them in shaping today’s world.
Intending to protect the Indigenous People, GIIA’s specific mission is to advance the social, health, education, and economic status of Indigenous People worldwide. By doing this, they hope to empower them by giving access to proper health care, business training, educational workshops, college funding, networking capabilities, and many other tools to help them to thrive and survive.
For instance, some of their social initiatives involve Indigenous brain tan and Indigenous language workshops. These activities aim to preserve their traditional activities, bypassing knowledge down to others. Other efforts like that of health, involve Firekeepers Summit and Indigenous Healing circles to keep customary ways of approaching healthcare. In sum, most of the strategies that GIIA offers are done to preserve.
On the other hand, while some are geared towards helping the Indigenous People protect the life of their culture, others are initiated by the organization to help them thrive in this modern world. With the help of economic initiatives like the Indigenous Entrepreneurship Alliance and Corporate Allies, it facilitates the Indigenous People in earning a daily living. These times are painful, mainly that almost everything flows through money. Gone are the days when trades were a thing.
But what makes this initiative so innovative is it does not demand the Indigenous People to change themselves for them to adapt. On the contrary, it aids them in earning a living just by being themselves. In other words, they utilize the richness of their culture and share them with others for a profit. GIIA believes that this is the most appropriate balance between the preservation of their culture and themselves.
GIIA cannot continue doing its initiatives without your help. Support the organization as they help the Indigenous People cope in this dynamic society. Visit their website here.
