A/HRC/21/53 49. Media and information technology, including the internet, can provide essential and effective tools for the promotion and revitalization of indigenous languages and are particularly valuable tools to educate children. The use of indigenous languages in media increases the visibility of indigenous languages, illustrates and promotes their relevance in contemporary life, demarginalizes indigenous languages and improves indigenous peoples’ access to their languages. Positive examples include the development of the Google search engine site in the Maori language and the Cree Dictionary online project in collaboration with the University of Alberta and the Maskwacís Cree. V. Indigenous peoples’ cultural identity 50. Indigenous peoples’ languages and cultures are often one of their defining features, of crucial importance to their identity as collectives, forming a bond as nations, and as indigenous individuals. Indigenous cultures are often based on the concept of respect for others, mutual support and the maintenance of the integrity of the individual, providing the basis for harmonious relations.57 Indigenous peoples’ cultural distinctiveness, on the one hand, and commonalities between indigenous cultures, such as the value placed on collectivity and spirituality have provided cohesion to the global indigenous peoples’ movement. A. Definition of culture 51. Numerous definitions of culture have been proposed at the international level, as reviewed by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 58 The Declaration does not define culture per se, although indigenous peoples’ cultural rights are implicit in many articles and are clearly recognized and delineated throughout, as detailed above. The Independent Expert in the field of cultural rights has noted that it is unnecessary for her to define culture, “and may be inappropriate.”59 Any definition of culture, including that implicit here, should not be viewed as exclusive. 52. Indigenous peoples’ cultures include tangible and intangible manifestations of their ways of life, achievements and creativity, are an expression of their self-determination and of their spiritual and physical relationships with their lands, territories and resources. Indigenous culture is a holistic concept based on common material and spiritual values and includes distinctive manifestations in language, spirituality, membership, arts, literature, traditional knowledge, customs, rituals, ceremonies, methods of production, festive events, music, sports and traditional games, behaviour, habits, tools, shelter, clothing, economic activities, morals, value systems, cosmovisions, laws, and activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering. Indigenous cultures are influenced by their environment, impacting on a people’s common perspective of the world and underlining its connection with nature. Indigenous cultures shape their views of the world and life. B. Collective 53. Values of collective responsibility and respect for elders, ancestors, spirits and the community are often embodied in indigenous cultures, which can guide indigenous individuals’ behaviour in everyday life. Indigenous social systems are closely related to the 57 58 59 12 J. Lasimbang, H. Maran and J. Lasimbang, “Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives on Development”. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 21 (2009). A/HRC/14/36, para. 5.