Week 40: International Indian Treaty Council

Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place.

The loss and suffering of American Indians throughout our nation’s history is a tragic story. You may be surprised and saddened to know that similar stories have played out in all parts of the world. The Aborigines of Australia and the Maori of New Zealand are two well-known examples.

Today we honor the work of the International Indian Treaty Council, which was founded this week in 1974 at a gathering in Standing Rock, South Dakota. Delegates from 98 indigenous nations attended this first meeting and chose the sacred pipe as their symbol, to represent “the common bonds of spirituality, ties to the land and respect for traditional cultures common to all Indigenous Peoples.”

Today, the IITC has close ties to various bodies within the United Nations, and is a voice for the diverse populations of Indigenous Peoples around the world.

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as Standing Rock, South Dakota to find diversity. There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right here at your own school. Find one today!