Indigenous intellectual property (IP) refers to the traditional knowledge and cultural expressions of a particular Indigenous group This includes their artistic and spiritual creations, their language, customs, and traditional practices. IP also highlights the collective rights of Indigenous peoples to their cultural heritage. This includes the right to limit access to their cultural resources, as well as the power to control and receive benefits from the commercial use of their traditional knowledge.
In recognition of the uniqueness and value of Indigenous IP, several international treaties have been created to protect this kind of intellectual property. These include the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) and the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Intellectual Property Rights Framework (2012). While these treaties safeguard Indigenous IP, they do not guarantee any type of compensation or benefit to the creators.
The five best examples of Indigenous intellectual property include:
1. Aboriginal Designs: These are usually geometric patterns or symbols that have been used by Indigenous communities to decorate their clothes, tools, weapons, and jewelry. Many of these designs have become popular in mainstream fashion and sold on products such as t-shirts and bags.
2. Traditional Stories: Indigenous cultures are often passed down through oral storytelling. These stories contain highly symbolic and spiritual teachings and can be shared between generations.
3. Traditional Music: Indigenous music is often a reflection of a particular culture and can be used to honor an important event or person or to communicate a message. Indigenous songs, dances, and musical instruments are typically unique to a particular community and have a deep spiritual connection.
4. Traditional Foods: Indigenous foods are harvested from the land and often play a significant role in Indigenous spiritual and cultural practices. These can include wild game, fish, plants, and herbs, which are cooked and prepared in traditional ways.
5. Traditional Healing Practices: Indigenous healing practices have developed over many years and are used to restore emotional, physical, and mental balance. These practices involve techniques such as meditation, prayer, massage, herbal medicines, and purification ceremonies.