WORLD INDIGENOUS DAY

WORLD INDIGENOUS DAY

MALAYSIA

9TH AUGUST 2008

AT

KADAZANDUSUN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION(KDCA) HALL

PENAMPANG, SABAH, MALAYSIA

Photo (L-R: Huguan Siou/Paramount Chief- Joseph Pairin Kitingan; Allan Dumbong, A Murut Girl, Kadazandusun Traditional House & Modern Kadazandusun kids)

Contact:

Mr Allan Guim Dumbong

KDCA Central Committee Member

Chairman, Kadazandusun Youth Development Movement

Email: adumbong@yahoo.com

MESSAGE

Hi..my name is Allan Dumbong. I am belong to the Kadazandusun ethnic, one of the major indigenous tribes in Borneo Island. During this auspicious World Indigenous Day 2008, I would like to extend my warm greeting "kopisanganan toinsanan" to all the indigenous groups around the world. As a young and emerging leader of the Kadazandusun community, I would like to see the indigenous people, particularly the youth and children (girls and boys), to move forward and play an important role in making the world a better place to live in. I also hope that international organizations like the United Nations, FAO, World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), World Tourism Organization to be more sensitive to the plights of the indigenous people. They must be made aware that most of the indigenous people, including our Kadazandusun tribe, are still lagging behind in terms of socio-economic advancement. Most of the time we are also facing discrimination, deprivations, harassment and humiliations. There shall be no doubt that the indigenous people are capable of making changes and contribute to the development of a civilised global community. However, they need the space to take breath and the window of opportunity to shine and contribute. Wow..Happy World Indigenous Day 2008!!