Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah World Indigenous Peoples Day 2026 celebration (Shoas2026) will take place from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday, featuring a main conference and cultural events at the Koisaan Cultural Village, KDCA Unity Centre in Penampang on Saturday.
The event centres on the theme "Indigenous Peoples and AI: Shaping Our Future and Defending Our Rights Through Borneo Dayak Unity and Solidarity," bringing together indigenous leaders, youth, cultural practitioners, and activists across Borneo.
The local gathering aligns with the 2026 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples global theme, "Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being," extending the call to protect indigenous life, culture, language, and traditional knowledge.
Main International Conference Committee (MICC) chairman Andrew Ambrose @ Atama Katama stated that the core challenge facing current generations is ensuring indigenous knowledge survives and retains self-determination in an AI-driven era.
Atama stressed that indigenous youths must be directly involved in discussions on technology, data ownership, intellectual property, and digital representation without sacrificing their cultural identity or rights over traditional heritage.
Programmes on Saturday will begin at 6:30am with a cultural parade led by Borneo Dayak Forum president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan from Borenos Bandar Baru Penampang to the KDCA Unity Centre.
The official opening ceremony will feature traditional and spiritual elements, including Bobohizan rituals, alongside key figures such as National Dayak Customary Council of Indonesia president Marthin Billa and Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Organisers invite the public, youth groups, media practitioners, and academics to participate in the event to foster intergenerational dialogue and regional solidarity across Borneo.
.jpg)
