Prerequisite: SOCA, EnviSit

Definition of terms:

Indigenous people (IP) - "ethnic groups that are protected in international or

national legislation as having a set of specific rights based on territory,
cultural, and historical distinctiveness" (United Nations)

National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) - government body concerned with

the welfare of the IPs.

Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA Law) of 1997 - the Republic Act 8371 concerned
in the distribution and of ancestral lands to the IPs.

I. Identity and Culture

The various ethnic tribes in the Philippines originated from the first inhabitants
of the islands -- people who did not succumb to the Spanish invasion.

In 1990s, there are 100 recognized groups of indigenous people all over the country
and most are upland dwellers. These people originally inhabited the lowlands,
mostly socializing with other tribal groups until political strife (with the
influence of the colonizers) had driven them on the mountain ranges.

The IPs are the testament to the local culture and traditions and they continue to
practice traditional beliefs. People in these groups are highly creative: often
producing quality baskets, clothing, woodworks, among other things.

Through their traditional beliefs, the IPs are mindful of their environment and
were able to concoct agricultural systems without large scale destruction to nearby
forested areas. (Baguinon, 2013)

In recent years, the IPs would do swidden farming to grasslands and fishing on
nearby rivers as livelihood.

II. Effects of Imperialism and Warlordism

The Philippines has always been a victim to the imperialist plunder of the
environment and in order to be successful in getting their hands on the country's
natural resources, establish their influence, and carry out their goals, founded
paramilitary forces and allied themselves with powerful datus and turned them into
warlords. (Simbulan, 2000)

This cycle has continued throughout the centuries in which the imperialist entity
is successful in penetrating a nation's political and economic power. Spanish
colonizers were successful in turning the ruling class of some IPs into landed
elites in exchange for protecting their interests. (The Internationalist, 2003).
Upon their entrance after the Spanish era, the United States seeing that most of
the lands are mineral-rich, recruited warlords and their people to become
paramilitary forces which harass smaller ethnic groups into submission.

III. The Indigenous People in Modern Times

Semi-colonial, semi feudal culture created a barrier between the lowlanders and the
indigenous tribes. Eme…insert SOCA here.

insert mining part of envi.sit here…reiterate the role of the United States and its
warlord cronies in the present dismal state of the IPs.