Today is UN International Indigenous People’s Day. This year’s theme is “Bridging the Gap: implementing the rights of Indigenous peoples.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called the estimated 370 million people in 90 countries “powerful agents of change” who must be included in the new development agenda. Due to historical inequities and discrimination, they make up 15% of the world’s most resource poor and 1/3 of the extremely resource-poor rural population.

Power structures and development programs must be created to eliminate obstacles to indigenous people’s rights to self-determination and ability to lead peaceful, sufficient lives. We join hands with everyone seeking meaningful outcomes from the first World Conference of Indigenous people in September 2014, and truly hope that there will be a positive impact on MotherBaby and community wellbeing for marginalized people everywhere.