Wayne Campbell | Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-Being

“Indigenous Peoples around the world continue to face overwhelming marginalisation, discrimination and exclusion. Rooted in colonialism and patriarchy, these profound disparities are sustained by a deeply held resistance to recognising and respecting the rights, dignity, and freedoms of indigenous peoples. Throughout modern history, Indigenous Peoples have been robbed of their lands and territories, of their political and economic autonomy, and even of their own children. Their cultures and languages have been denigrated and extinguished.”

– United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

Did you know Indigenous Peoples make up less than six per cent of the global population, but they represent at least 15 per cent of the extremely poor?

Indigenous Peoples' territories encompass 28 per cent of the surface of the globe and contain 11 per cent of the world’s forests. They are guardians of most of the world’s remaining biodiversity.

Indigenous Peoples have always been marginalised. The United Nations (UN) estimates that there are an estimated 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries. They make up less than six per cent of the world's population, but account for at least 15 per cent of the poorest. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures.

The major Indigenous Peoples in the Caribbean before European contact included the Tainos who inhabited the Greater Antilles (which included Jamaica) and The Bahamas (including regional branches like the Lucayans), the Kalinago or Island Caribs (of the Lesser Antilles), and earlier archaic groups such as the Ciboney and Guanahatabey.

The Indigenous Peoples of Dominica are the Kalinago, historically referred to as Carib Indians. They originally named the island Waitukubuli ("tall is her body").

The first Europeans to arrive were the Spanish in 1492, led by Christopher Columbus; followed by the Portuguese, English, Dutch and French. Today, descendants of these groups along with other Indigenous Peoples such as the Maya, Garifuna, Surinen and Tainos are still to be found in our region.

A POWERFUL EXPRESSION

On December 23, 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples shall be observed on August 9 every year. The date marks the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. The 2026 theme is ‘Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-Being’.

The UN argues that honouring Indigenous midwives is an opportunity to recognise 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. Indigenous knowledge systems have sustained the well-being of Indigenous Peoples for generations.

Rooted in holistic worldviews that connect territory, spirituality, community and ways of life, they encompass values, practices and forms of care that have been developed and passed on over time.

Indigenous midwifery 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.

Despite their cultural differences, Indigenous Peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.

Indigenous Peoples have sought recognition of their identities, their way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. Yet, throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous Peoples today are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. The international community now recognises that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and way of life.

On this the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, let the global community unite to raise the awareness surrounding this very important day.

Such a day is essential to protect indigenous rights, celebrate traditional knowledge, and address global challenges like land preservation and health equity.

Today, we recognise and celebrate the diverse cultures and enduring contributions of Indigenous Peoples.

- Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. Email feedback to waykam@yahoo.com and columns@gleanerjm.com. ONLINE ONLY COMMENTARY.