Together with other Indigenous Peoples worldwide, we are deeply concerned about the preservation of medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge. We call on the UN to add advice about the implementation of UNDRIP in the context of medicinal plants and traditional plant knowledge.
~ Leo Dayish
United Nations Report Includes Protecting Indigenous Medicinal Plants
By Linda Benally | May 20, 2025 | News
Shiprock, New Mexico – Over the past few years, the Native American Church of the State of New Mexico (NAC-SNM) has been working with Indigenous partners and advocates worldwide to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples to use medicinal plants and preserve their traditional knowledge. They have been voicing their concerns at the United Nations (UN) forums. 
In May 2025, the UN acknowledged the important role of Indigenous Peoples in protecting their medicinal plants, ecosystems, and traditional knowledge. This includes the use of medicinal plants like Peyote, which hold significant cultural and spiritual value.
On April 22, 2025, Indigenous Peoples from around the world spoke at the UN about the progress and challenges in implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In May 2025, the UN Report highlighted the need for stronger political commitment and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples to address these challenges.
The UN Report also emphasized the importance of respecting Indigenous knowledge in environmental governance and protecting medicinal plants. It encouraged legal protections, access to justice, and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into environmental and development strategies. Of particular importance to NAC-SNM is the Forum’s Report language that addresses the protection of traditional medicinal plants with regard to UNDRIP. It reads, in part:
Member States should acknowledge the critical role of Indigenous Peoples as guardians of their lands and territories; their traditional knowledge must be fully respected in environmental governance, including the protection and use of medicinal plants, such as the coca leaf and peyote, that hold profound religious, cultural and spiritual significance to Indigenous Peoples, and their ecosystems.
The UN Report recommended that countries sign and implement the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge. This treaty aims to protect against biopiracy and ensure Indigenous Peoples’ participation in decision-making.
The recognition and recommendations from the UN provide a framework for implementing UNDRIP, validating the connection between Indigenous medicines, culture, land, language, and community.
The progress made so far is the result of collaborative efforts from various supporters and partners. The NAC-SNM continues to raise concerns about the biological health of sacred plants like Peyote, emphasizing their religious significance to the Native American Church. Read NAC-SNM UN April 2025 interventions:
Intervention: Agenda Item 3: UNDRIP
Intervention: Agenda Item 4: Mandated Areas
Intervention: Agenda Item 5g: Financing
Copyright 2025, NAC-State of New Mexico