Ursprungsfolk

Ursprungsfolk, or Indigenous peoples, are groups that are the original inhabitants of a region and have maintained distinct cultural practices, languages, social structures, and enduring ties to traditional lands. They typically demonstrate historical continuity with pre-colonial societies and have experienced colonization, dispossession, or marginalization. Central to many communities is self-identification and recognition by their own members, alongside unique social and governance traditions that persist alongside participation in broader national systems.

International law recognises certain rights for ursprungsfolk, notably in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2007) and ILO Convention 169. Core rights include self-determination, rights to lands, territories and resources, protection of cultural heritage and languages, and participation in decision-making processes affecting their communities, including free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) for projects on or affecting their lands.

Geographically, indigenous groups exist on every continent. Notable examples include the Sámi of Sápmi in northern Europe; Indigenous peoples across the Americas such as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in Canada; Native American communities in the United States; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia; and various groups across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Contemporary issues commonly faced include land rights disputes, language endangerment, access to essential services, economic marginalization, and the protection of traditional knowledge. Efforts to support ursprungsfolk emphasize recognition, meaningful consultation, FPIC, and respect for customary governance and rights.