Towards a New Health Paradigm: WHO Underscores Key Role for Indigenous Medicine

The Earth Elders were honoured to participate in the recent gathering convened by the World Health Organization’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Delhi, a landmark event bringing together leaders, practitioners, and knowledge holders from across the world to explore the future of traditional medicine within global health systems. The GTMC, established by the WHO in India, is dedicated to advancing the evidence base, policy frameworks, and integration of traditional knowledge into modern healthcare, recognising its vital contribution to human wellbeing, prevention, and planetary health.

Wanka Inti, Guardian of Quechua Wisdom, representing Andean healing traditions at the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre gathering.

At this historic moment, the Earth Elders supported the WHO by convening a dedicated space for the medicines of Original Peoples. This dialogue brought together representatives from Mongolia, the Mapuche Nation of Chile, Southern Africa, the Wiwa of Colombia, and Inca lineages from Peru. It was a powerful gathering of living knowledge systems, rooted in relationships with land, biodiversity, and community. Our Elders Wanka Inti and Rutendo Ngara carried the voice of the Council, with Rutendo offering a deeply moving plenary address that highlighted the importance of respect, and reciprocity for ancestral healing traditions so that we may safeguard them for future generations. Lara Mastropasqua, partnerships director, and Stephen Vasconcellos supported the Elders, with Melanie Pyne and Dom Loomes helping us to curate video content and an immersive experience for participants. 

Earth Elder Rutendo Ngara, Guardian of Ancestral African Knowledge, bringing the living wisdom of Southern Africa into a new global conversation on health and healing.

This event marks a significant step forward in the recognition of Indigenous medicine alongside modern allopathic approaches. For decades, Ayurveda and Chinese medicine have steadily gained acceptance in global health conversations, supported by thousands of years of practice and growing scientific validation. Today, a new space is emerging for the diverse and sophisticated healing systems of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. These systems are not only about treatment, but about restoring balance between people, communities, and the natural world.

Lara Mastropasqua, Director of Partnerships at The Earth Elders, with Wiwa Mamos Mamo Kunshemaku and Mamo Awimaku of Colombia at the WHO gathering on Indigenous medicine.

The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. Around 50–60% of modern pharmaceutical medicines are derived directly or indirectly from nature, with many originating from plants, fungi, and other biological compounds long known and stewarded by Indigenous communities. This reality reminds us that nature is humanity’s original medicine cabinet, and that the future of health depends on protecting both biodiversity and the cultural knowledge that understands how to work in harmony with it.

Wanka Inti, Guardian of Quechua Wisdom, guiding participants through the Q’ero understanding of the levels of consciousness rooted in Andean cosmology.

The Earth Elders believe this is a time of convergence. By bringing together ancestral wisdom and contemporary science, new pathways can emerge that honour both tradition and innovation. The GTMC gathering in Delhi represents an important milestone in building respectful collaboration, ethical frameworks, and shared learning that can strengthen health systems while safeguarding the knowledge, rights, and leadership of Original Peoples.

We look forward to continuing this journey with the WHO and other partners worldwide, ensuring that Indigenous medicines are recognised, protected, and valued as essential contributions to a healthier and more balanced future for all.

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The wisdom of the Elders lives on through teaching, mentorship, and the sharing of ancestral knowledge with future generations.

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