Dear readers,

Our theme for this issue of Women in Action focuses on the struggle of indigenous women to take control of their lives. We feel that it is timely and relevant to examine where indigenous women are now, what changes have occurred in their status, with the forthcoming UN International Year of Indigenous Populations in 1993.

The term indigenous does not constitute a homogenous cultural group nor does it denote distinct population categories. It includes racial and cultural communities. While indigenous people have often been considered a minority group, we recognize that one region's minority population is another region's majority.

We have tried to be comprehensive in our coverage. We have featured articles on indigenous women in India, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. We have looked at the Amerindians and blacks in North and in South America.

At the same time, we recognize the limitations in scope. We have not been able to include indigenous groups in other regions. We would still like to feature them in a later issue of Women in Action and welcome contributions from women's groups in the areas we have not covered.

For now, we hope that the experiences of indigenous women we have been able to include in this issue can serve as an inspiration to other indigenous women and to all other women who want to regain control of their lives.

The declaration of indigenous women during the First Continental Meeting of Indigenous Peoples in Quito, Ecuador is an important statement that sums up their primary desire to care for the earth and to live according to traditional values in order to restore balance and harmony among all peoples and with Mother Earth.

As we continue our efforts to transform and improve our magazine, we have kept our regular features on upcoming conferences. We are happy to report that I sis International is involved in the preparations for the 1994 women and media conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

Again, you may want to give us your feedback and send in your articles. We will be happy to publish them You may also wan t to tell us what issues you want to be taken up in our magazine in the future. 

Mabuhay! Long live!

Isis International Manila collective