In a message marking International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the UN Secretary General emphasized that Indigenous peoples are not only custodians of the world’s rich cultural heritage, but also vital guardians of the planet’s crucial ecosystems and an indispensable part of humanity’s shared future. He urged immediate investments in collecting Indigenous-specific health data, training Indigenous midwives, protecting maternal health, and ensuring women’s rights to make independent decisions regarding their bodies and healthcare. ‘Indigenous midwives and health workers do more than deliver babies,’ noted the UN Secretary General. At the same time, globalization and socio-economic pressures are driving many Indigenous languages and cultural traditions toward extinction. Indigenous peoples must not be viewed merely as passive ‘beneficiaries’ of relief, but as equal partners in shaping the future.