The idea originated in 1982 when the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) set up its Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP), established as a result of a study by Special Rapporteur José Ricardo Martínez Cobo on the problem of discrimination faced by indigenous peoples.
Gagasan berawal saat Dewan Ekonomi dan Sosial PBB (ECOSOC), tahun 1982, mendirikan Kelompok Kerja dalam Populasi Penduduk Asli (WGIP) sebagai hasil penelitian Special Rapporteur PBB José R. Martínez Cobo dalam masalah diskriminasi yang dihadapi penduduk asli.