We need Indigenous communities for a better world

We should know that there are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They make up less than 6 percent of the world’s population, but account for at least 15 percent of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.
In spite of progress in science and technology and at the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), indigenous knowledge systems have sustained the well-being of indigenous peoples for generations. One of the best examples is indigenous midwifery and it is a powerful expression of these knowledge systems, supporting the transmission of knowledge, strengthening cultural identity, and ensuring the continuity of indigenous peoples’ ways of life. Yet, the practice of indigenous midwifery remains impacted by structural barriers and discrimination that undermine the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems within formal health frameworks and limit access to culturally appropriate care.
Indigenous Peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Among the indigenous peoples are those of the Americas (for example, the Lakota in the USA, the Mayas in Guatemala or the Aymaras in Bolivia), the Inuit and Aleutians of the circumpolar region, the Saami of northern Europe, the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders of Australia and the Maori of New Zealand. These and most other indigenous peoples have retained distinct characteristics which are clearly different from those of other segments of the national populations.
Indigenous Peoples today are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. In order to raise awareness of the needs of Indigenous Peoples, every 9 August commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982.
This year’s theme, “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.”Honouring Indigenous midwives is an opportunity to recognize their role as knowledge holders and caregivers, reaffirm the enduring value of Indigenous knowledge systems in safeguarding life, and advance culturally appropriate approaches to well-being for future generations. The Secretary General of the UN in his message on the occasion said that “traditional wisdom can protect new life. Together, let us ensure that Indigenous midwives, and the communities they serve, have everything they need to thrive.”
In terms of special events related to indigenous peoples, in 1990, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1993 the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (A/RES/45/164 A/RES/47/75). Later, the General Assembly established two International Decades of the World’s Indigenous Peoples: the first 1995 – 2004 (resolution 48/163), and the second 2005 – 2014 (resolution 59/174), with the goal of strengthening international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous peoples in areas such as human rights, the environment, development, education, health, economic and social development. 2022 marks the beginning of a new decade for the indigenous community: the celebration of the Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022 – 2032, a door that was opened previously in 2019 with the celebration of the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
There is no doubt that we need indigenous communities for a better world as they have traditional knowledge systems which are still useful. The world is facing the issue of climate change and these communities have protected nature for decades through their traditional knowledge. Apart from preserving languages and cultures they have positively contributed to the planet. As this year’s theme focused on midwives, let the midwives be trained well where they can utilize their traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques so that bst services can be provided to all.
(With direct inputs from the UN publication and feedback may be send to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Ranjan K Baruah,
Guwahati