Ateneo Migration Center (AMC), Social Science (SS) Cluster and Social Research Training and Development Office (SRTDO) spearheaded an Indigenous Peoples Exhibit and Research Colloquium last August 7.
Renowned professor. Bro. Carlito M. Gaspar, Ph.D. CSsR, Dean of Studies at St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute, presented his paper entitled, “State of the Indigenous People’s Situation Today in Mindanao: Challenges for Civil Society’s Solidarity Work with Lumads”.
Prof. Hadji A. Balajadia, MS, Faculty of Psychology Department and Convenor of Bantay Bayanihan shared a paper, “The Indigenous People and the Psyche of Government Agencies: Critical Reflections on the Whole-of-Nation Approach”.
While Dr. Rhodora S. Ranalan (Chair of Languages, Literature, and Arts Department), discussed her paper entitled, “The Return of the Narratives of Ethnicity in the Indigenous Novel”.
The event was also graced by a musical presentation of renditions of Gabriel’s’ Oboe and Paraiso by Fr. Charlie Cenzon, Ateneo de Davao flutist, and composer of Jesuit songs.
Students from the Social Science Cluster, Ateneo Lumad Student Organization (ALSO), Junior Social Workers Association of the Philippines (JSWAP-ADDU), faculty, and guests from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Office of Bai Sudagar were among those who took part in the celebration.
The celebration started with an opening of the Indigenous Peoples Exhibit in Arrupe Hall last August 1, 2017.
The celebration started with an opening of the Indigenous Peoples Exhibit in Arrupe Hall last August 1, 2017. Different indigenous peoples group were highlighted in the exhibit namely: Tagabawa, Mansaka, Sama, Kalagan, Bagobo, Mandaya, and Matigsalog. The exhibit which ran for two weeks was done in partnership with ALSO.
They organized the event pursuant to Republic Act No. 10689, an act declaring August 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day. The commemoration added significance as the 10th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) also marks the 20th Anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8371). The vital role of the indigenous peoples, academe, and government agencies is to pursue laws, regulations, and institutional framework that reflect and address the current socio-economic reality of the Indigenous Peoples.