The purpose of this article is to examine literacy as a key contributor to cultivating individual and collective self-determination for indigenous peoples. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) defines literacy as a human right intrinsically important for human development and well-being. Therefore, literacy is pivotal to fostering self-determination. This article introduces some broad definitions of literacy, including examples offered by indigenous sources. Following this is consideration of the human rights discourse as it relates to literacy specifically, with a particular focus on the way in which this discourse has unfolded in New Zealand. The article then explores literacy as a human right and the role it plays in contributing to indigenous self-determination. The article concludes that there is a need to ensure literacy interventions, which are designed to fulfill the rights of indigenous learners with regard to literacy, are embedded in indigenous epistemology, history and pedagogy.