With the dramatic increase in global warming and a thinning ozone layer, the United Nations has realized that native peoples may possess some critical keys to the very survival of our species and fragile ecosystems of the planet. Host Phil Cousineau and the Global Spirit crew attend the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City. The program documents the proceedings and interviews a range of renowned indigenous leaders and tribal representatives such as Chief Oren Lyons, Marcos Terena, Jake Swamp, Viktor Kaisiepo and Gloria Ushigua, who are joined by more than 2,000 others at a unique gathering of indigenous peoples from around the world.