United Nations Radio

Indigenous people of Canada

The theme of this year's observance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People is HIV/AIDS and its impact on indigenous people. In a message to mark the Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized the vulnerability of indigenous peoples to HIV/AIDS, noting that, "It is essential that indigenous peoples have access to the information and infrastructure necessary for detection, treatment and protection." Chief Willy Littlechild of Canada agrees that AIDS is an important health issue, not only for his community but for the indigenous across Canada.

Worldwide, more than half of the children not attending school are from minority or indigenous populations

Worldwide, more than half of the children not attending school are from minority or indigenous populations, according to a report released by Minority Rights Group International, in collaboration with UNICEF. To better understand the plight of indigenous students, UNICEF's Amy Costello spoke with Maurice Bryan, a Caribbean-born writer, based in Honduras, who works with Minority Rights Group International.

Improving sewage treatment in the Caribbean

sewage pumped into the sea

It is a shocking but true revelation that a significant amount of sewage waste from Caribbean countries is pumped into the sea without being adequately treated. The Pan-American Health Organization, PAHO, reports that only two to six percent of the population in 11 CARICOM countries is served by sewer systems. Christopher Corbin, in Kingston, Jamaica, explains why regional standards for sewage need to be developed and enforced.

Goodwill Ambassador and NBA star visits a school for indigenous children in Argentina

Ginobili and students of Fontana, Argentina

On the eve of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, NBA star player and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Manu Ginobili visited a school in Fontana, Argentina, in the impoverished province of Chaco, home to the indigenous group Qom. For Qom students, the educational challenges are vast. They begin school without knowledge of the Spanish language, and during their education they receive mo instruction in their mother tongue.

Producer: Gerry Adams
Duration: 14'36"