International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026
What if the world’s oldest knowledge could help shape the future of healthcare?
Across generations, Indigenous communities have preserved traditions that protect lives, strengthen families, and nurture the well-being of entire communities.
This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, celebrated every 9th of August, pays tribute to indigenous midwives with the theme: “Honoring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” It is a call for greater appreciation of their role and efforts to integrate indigenous knowledge into health systems while respecting the rights and traditions of Indigenous Peoples. For generations, Indigenous midwives have served as trusted caregivers, educators, and custodians of ancestral wisdom.
Indigenous midwives’ work, in fact, extends far beyond childbirth, encompassing cultural practices, community health, emotional support, and the transmission of knowledge from one generation to the next. Despite their invaluable contributions, many indigenous midwives continue to face barriers, including: stigmatization, regulatory restrictions, exclusion, lack of recognition and even criminalization.
According to the UN Department of Economics and Social Affairs (DESA), “Indigenous Peoples face significant and persistent health inequities. Evidence indicates that Indigenous women and adolescent girls experience poorer maternal health outcomes than non-Indigenous Peoples, including lower access to essential services and, in some contexts, substantially higher maternal mortality. Such disparities are closely linked to structural barriers, including discrimination, geographic isolation, the limited availability of culturally appropriate services, and the insufficient recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems within formal health frameworks.” (See link: https://social.desa.un.org/issues/indigenous-peoples/events/IDWIP2026)
The Salesians Sisters, in different parts of the world, are committed to promoting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, especially those of girls and women, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights are respected.
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples provides an opportunity for governments, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and individuals to reflect on the challenges Indigenous Peoples continue to face and to support initiatives that promote equality, cultural preservation, quality healthcare, education, meaningful participation in decision-making processes, and inclusion.
Together, let us celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples while reaffirming our shared responsibility to protect their rights, cultures, and future generation by safeguarding life and well-being.