August 09, 2026 – The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed each August 9th. This year’s theme is “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” Inuit Circumpolar Council affirms the right of Inuit women to comprehensive care by Inuit midwives, the right to give birth in their own communities, and to receive support from Inuit health care providers.
Indigenous Knowledge systems have sustained the wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples for generations. The Inuit Circumpolar Council celebrates and honours the knowledge and care that Inuit women as mothers, aunties, grandmothers, and midwives provide in caring for babies, mothers, and homes. We honour Inuit birth workers that are doing this work in Inuit communities, providing critical infant and maternal care. We recognize the role of Inuit midwives in protecting Inuit knowledge, language, culture and self-determination through birth and family care.
Inuit Circumpolar Council hosted the first Inuit Women’s Summit in Sisimiut, Kalaallit Nunaat in October 2025. On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Inuit Circumpolar Council reiterates the following call included in the Inuit Women’s Summit Declaration as follows:
Call on all Inuit and non-Inuit to create safe spaces and to protect Inuit women leaders at all levels and in all forms, including supporting Inuit women legal professionals, behavioral health specialists, educators, midwives, advocates, and the many other professions that Inuit women occupy, to be heard and respected as they battle every day for our collective rights.