Abstract: Excerpt from the editorial:When launching the international decade for the world’s indigenous peoples in 1994, the president of the United Nations General Assembly warned of the dire circumstances facing indigenous peoples: “Their social structures and lifestyles have suffered the repercussions of modern development.”1 Although there is no single definition of indigenous peoples, an ancient relationship with a defined territory and ethnic distinctiveness are two distinguishing features. There are some 5000 indigenous groups with a total population of about 200 million, or around 4% of the global population.2The 1999 Declaration on the Health and Survival of Indigenous Peoples by the World Health Organization proposed a definition of indigenous health: “Indigenous peoples’ concept of health and survival is both a collective and an individual inter-generational continuum encompassing a holistic perspective incorporating four distinct shared dimensions of life. These dimensions are the spiritual, the intellectual, physical, and emotional. Linking these four fundamental dimensions, health and survival manifests itself on multiple levels where the past, present, and future co-exist simultaneously.”

Abstract: Exerpt taken from document:“While health workers are likely to be more comfortable with the investigation of short distance and mid-distance factors, the health status of indigenous peoples requires a broad approach that covers a wide spectrum of interventions. The Declaration of Health and Survival recommends several strategies including capacity building, research (using indigenous methodologies and conventional scientific methods), cultural education for health professionals, increased funding and resources for indigenous health, a reduction in the inequities accompanying globalisation, and constitutional and legislative changes by states. Many indigenous groups have placed priority on the development of an indigenous health workforce that has both professional and cultural competence. They have also promoted the adoption of indigenous health perspectives, including spirituality, in conventional health services. A return to traditional healing methods has been suggested as a further strategy though generally as part of comprehensive primary health care and in collaboration with health professionals. However, while access to quality health care is important, socio-economic and political gains may have greater potential for improving the health status of indigenous peoples.Indigenous models for health promotion have relied heavily on indigenous world views and especially the close relationship that people have with the environment, with culture and tradition, and with the social structures and institutional arrangements that characterise indigenous societies. Moreover, because the relationship between indigenous peoples and states is often burdened by past misunderstandings about control and assimilatory policies, indigenous health promoters have also argued for a degree of autonomy from the state”.

Abstract: These are the areas that he covered in his presentation at the conference:“Four transformational pathways1. Maori models of health2. Indigenising mental health services3. Independent Maori provider organisations4. Maori health workforce development”