Saint Louis College of Bulanao

Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga

This module is a requirement of St. Louis College of Bulanao in response to the implementation
of the Blended Learning modes of Instruction.
This Learning Material is a property of the St. Louis College of Bulanao, Tabuk City. It aims to
help students appreciate peace and eventually become Peace Advocate themselves.

Date of Development : January 2021

Resource Location : Bulanao, Tabuk City
Learning Area : Peace Education 12
Learning Resource Type : Module

General Instruction/s:
The module focuses on the culture and peace building. The discussion contains the definition of
culture vis-a-vis peace building, role of culture in peace building, and its responsibility towards
culture of peace. The following instruction/s should be followed:

1. This module is exclusively for the use of SLCB students only.

2. Reproduction and use of this module for any purpose is strictly prohibited, unless with written
permission from SLCB.
3. Read & comprehend all instructions embedded in the module to refrain from texting or
messaging your facilitator.

Module 2

1 Prepared by: Rev. Fr. Roman A. Macaiba, Jr. MACC

 Saint Louis College of Bulanao
Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga

Introduction:The module focuses on indigenous people and the culture of peace. The discussion
contains Overview of IP around the world and specifically in the Philippines, IP history, IP
Concept of Land since land is connected in the IP’s concept of peace. The expected learning
outcomes are the following:
1. have a holistic knowledge and understanding regarding the Indigenous
People and their world view.
2. Become aware of the cultural approaches that contribute to
understanding, preventing, mitigating and recovering from conflicts, and
3. That students be able to appreciate the world view of the Indigenous
people and be able to create cultural programs to foster it.

I. Course Content: Indigenous People and the Culture of Peace

a. Indigenous People around the world

> Throughout the world, indigenous people have contributed their wisdom towards peace. For one,
they have this profound reverence for nature. Overtime they have also developed mechanisms for
peacefully resolving their conflict and disputes by drawing from their own forms of indigenous
spirituality.
> Among the many indigenous groups around the world, there are some similarities in cultural and
spiritual practices. One of these is their spiritual connection with their land. They believe that no one
owns the land but that the people of that land have a collective right to use the land as well as the
collective responsibility to protect and maintain it. (Gray, 1999).

1. Who are the indigenous people around the world?

- Dictionaries define indigenous as "native; innate; inherent; natural.”

-The word dates back to the Latin indigena, meaning native or original inhabitant.
- The word indigenous has many meanings.

 IPs are culturally distinct societies and communities. The land on which they live and natural
resources on which they depend are inextricably Linked to their identities, cultures, livelihoods,
as well as their physical and Spiritual well-being. ([Link])

 Indigenous or Aboriginal or first nation peoples are so-called because they were living on their
lands before settlers came from elsewhere; they are the descendants of those who inhabited a
country or a geographical region at the time when people of different cultures or ethnic origins
arrived. (The Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)

 There are approximately 370 million IPs worldwide, in over 90 countries. They make up 5% of
the global population. They account for about 15% of the extreme poor. While they own,

2 Prepared by: Rev. Fr. Roman A. Macaiba, Jr. MACC

 Saint Louis College of Bulanao
Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga

occupy, or use a quarter of the world’s surface area, they safeguard80% of the world’s
remaining biodiversity. They hold vital ancestral knowledge and expertise on how to adapt,
mitigate, and reduce climate and disaster risks.

 Indigenous peoples are custodians of some of the most biologically diverse territories in the
world. They are also responsible for a great deal of the world’s linguistic and cultural diversity,
and their traditional knowledge has been and continues to be an invaluable resource that
benefits all of mankind.

 Most indigenous peoples around the world have retained social, cultural, economic, and
political characteristics that are clearly distinct from those of the other segments of the national
populations.

2. State of the world’s Indigenous peoples

1. Much of the land occupied by IPs is under the indigenous customary ownership, And
yet many governments/states recognize only a fraction of this land as formally Or
legally belonging to indigenous people.
> Insecure land tenure is a driver of conflict, environmental degradation, and
weak economic and social Development. This threatens cultural survival and vital
knowledge system – both of which Contribute to ecological integrity, biodiversity
and environmental health Upon Which we all depend.
> Throughout human history, whenever dominant neighbouring peoples have
expanded their territories or settlers from far away have acquired new lands by
force, the cultures and Livelihoods—even the very existence—of indigenous
peoples have been endangered.
2. Indigenous rights may be denied in the name of national unity or ‘shared values’. In
either case, the end result is the silencing of indigenous/marginalized communities
and the atrophy of their unique traditions.

3. Even in contexts where the cultural rights of minorities and indigenous peoples are
well established, their continued freedoms depend on a constant reaffirmation of
tolerance, Awareness and understanding between different groups, especially the
mainstream people.
4. Tragically, the active targeting of culture and the deep trauma this can inflict on
communities has become more evident than ever with the recent rise of extremist
groups.

5. The threats to indigenous peoples’ cultures and lands, to their status and other legal
rights as distinct groups and as citizens, endangered their lives and rob them of their
dignity.

HOPE IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE!!!

3 Prepared by: Rev. Fr. Roman A. Macaiba, Jr. MACC

 Saint Louis College of Bulanao
Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga

> Encouragingly, many minority and indigenous communities around the world are themselves drawing
on their rich cultural traditions – often in vigorously new ways – to advocate for change.
- many policy-makers, governments and international agencies are now focusing more attention on
cultural rights, including those of minorities and indigenous peoples.
> However, we still have a long way to go. Although some groups have been relatively successful, in
most of the world, indigenous peoples are still actively seeking recognition of their identities and ways
of life.
- In spite of cultural and ethnic diversity, there are often striking similarities between the problems,
grievances, and interests of the various indigenous peoples. ( The Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Office of
the High Commissioner for Human Rights [Link]/html/menu6/2/[Link]#intro)

CONCLUSION
> Over the last 20 years, IPs’ rights have been increasingly recognized through the adoption of
International and national instruments and mechanisms, such as the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007, the American Declaration on the Rights of IP in 2016, 23
ratification Of the Indigenous and tribal Peoples Convention from 1991, the establishment of the United
Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and the United Nations Rapporteur on the
Rights of IP (UNSR) and many more.
> In the Philippines we have the so called IPRA Law or RA 8371.

4 Prepared by: Rev. Fr. Roman A. Macaiba, Jr. MACC

 Saint Louis College of Bulanao
Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga

> “Where different cultures are recognized and respected, life is richer for all.” (Peter Grant,
“minorities, indigenous peoples and the right of culture, 2005)
II. Learning Activity:

III. Assessment:
1. Explain why Indigenous peoples are custodians of some of the most biologically
diverse territories in the world?
2. Make a short reaction paper on this statement: “Where different cultures are
recognized and respected, life is richer for all.”

Thank you! Stay safe, God bless!

References:
1. Amistad, Emmanuel C. (2002). Pochon: The Tongrayan Heritage. National
Secretariat for Social Action(NASSA).
2. Anderson, Mary B. and Lara Olson (2003). Confronting War: Critical Lessons for
Peace Practitioners. Cambridge, MA: The Collaborative for Development Actions,
Inc.
3. Arinze, Francis Cardinal (2002). Conversation in Manila: Talks on Peace and
Harmony through Dialogue. The CBCP. Manila, Philippines.
4. Castro, Loreta and Galace, Jasmine N., Peace Education: A Pathway to a Culture of
Peace, 2nd Edition, CPE Mirriam College, Quezon City, 2010.
5. Cohen, Cynthia and Lasley Yalen (2007). Complementary Approaches to Coexistence
Work: Focus on Coexistence and the Arts. Brandeis University Coexistence
International.
6. Education for Conflict Resolution, UNISEF – Trainers Manual
7. ICCN Manual for ICT/ADR & Mediation
8.

5 Prepared by: Rev. Fr. Roman A. Macaiba, Jr. MACC