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The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a unique space that works differently than other UN bodies. As a knowledge and communication hub of Indigenous Peoples from 7 sociocultural regions of the world, collective views arising out of UNPFII can be understood as not just geographically universal but intragenerational. Despite its importance, UNPFII has limited visibility in and beyond the UN and in turn the application of its guidance is underappreciated in global decision making and poorly understood. This article discusses UNPFII’s purpose and function, zooms in and highlights on the 2026 theme (health), and zooms out to consider UNPFII in the context of the wider UN system and planetary health governance. This piece is a narrative woven by the words of Indigenous Peoples threaded from interventions at UNPFII25, an event that took place in New York City, April 20 - May 1, 2026.