A/HRC/48/54
preventive measures. An initiative implemented by the Shipibo indigenous peoples in Peru
was recognized by the regional health authorities and expanded to other departments and
regions.78 The Yuqui people of the Plurinational State of Bolivia created a campaign featuring
characters adapted from the Yuqui worldview.79 In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,
indigenous organizations are broadcasting COVID-19 information and distributing
prevention manuals in 20 languages.80
76.
Indigenous organizations in Brazil are using bilingual print, radio, social media and
other audiovisual messaging to inform the community of vaccine effectiveness and
limitations, and address the spread of misinformation. A Brazilian indigenous leader and one
of the first indigenous persons to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in her country, utilized
social media to fight against vaccine misinformation, having indigenous doctors and leaders
explain vaccine benefits and address concerns. 81 In Kenya, the Government is using the
national languages to convey COVID-19 information, which is being further circulated by
indigenous radio stations and civil society.82
77.
In North America, indigenous peoples have set their own vaccination priorities, which
may be different from those of individual states. The Cherokee Nation successfully mobilized
its members to combat fears and suspicion of the vaccine by organizing virtual meetings
between its citizens, trusted health experts and traditional leaders.83 The Navajo Nation was
vaccinating its members faster than any state in the United States: by April 2021, nearly 90
per cent of the population had received at least one vaccine dose and 36 per cent were fully
vaccinated. Several Canadian indigenous health organizations have worked in partnership to
develop a virtual hub, Maad’ookiing Mshkiki, that provides culturally relevant information
on the COVID-19 vaccine and resources on traditional knowledge and healing practices by
and for indigenous peoples in Canada.84
E.
Collection and disaggregation of data
78.
Some indigenous communities are collecting their own COVID-19 data, when States
fail to accurately and sensitively disaggregate the data to identify their specific needs,
understand challenges and implement measures to move forward with recovery. In most
countries, indigenous communities are hampered by COVID-19 statistics that do not reflect
the breakdown of patients. Disaggregated data allows for evidence-based, informed decisionmaking with respect to the planning of services and evaluating the effectiveness of policies
implemented by both Governments and indigenous organizations.
79.
In Paraguay, indigenous organizations are collecting, analysing and publishing data
on districts and territories affected by the virus to strengthen the protection and control
mechanisms of indigenous communities, and are requesting the authorities to assist
communities at risk.85 Indigenous-led data collection initiatives in Bolivia (Plurinational State
of), Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) involve the
collection and monitoring of data, updating registries, guaranteeing regular communication
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
16
Radio Programas del Péru, “Ucayali: Replicarán experiencia del “Comando Matico” para luchar
contra la COVID-19”, 1 June 2020.
See submissions by Cxhab Wala Kiwe-Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca;
Federación por la Autodeterminación de los Pueblos Indígenas; Organización Indígena de Antioquia;
and Almáciga.
See submission by Colectivo de Geografía Crítica del Ecuador and Land is Life.
See Fabio Teixeira (Thomson Reuters Foundation), “Virus and fake news: Brazil indigenous leader
fights on two fronts”, 28 January 2021.
See submission by Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program, p. 4.
See Caroline Radnofsky, Matteo Moschella and Corky Siemaszko (NBC), “Native Americans use
culture and community to gain tribes’ trust in Covid vaccine”, 3 February 2021.
See Steve Inskeep (NPR), “At first wary of vaccine, Cherokee speaker says it safeguards language,
culture”, 4 January 2021.
See submissions by Cxhab Wala Kiwe-Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Norte del Cauca;
Federación por la Autodeterminación de los Pueblos Indígenas; and Organización Indígena de
Antioquia.