NEW YORK — The United Nations observed the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Monday, August 10, 2026, convening global leaders, grassroots advocates, and community representatives for an international virtual commemoration focused on health equity, cultural preservation, and self-determination. The 2026 observance centered on the theme: “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” The theme underscores the vital role traditional midwives play as essential healthcare providers, cultural guardians, and key transmitters of intergenerational ancestral wisdom. Across the globe, Indigenous midwives combine clinical expertise with deep community knowledge, spiritual traditions, and local languages to support maternal, newborn, and infant health. During the UN panel discussions, international delegates called on national governments to implement policies that respect Indigenous self-determination, safeguard ancestral territories, and formally integrate traditional healthcare systems into public policy.