Indigenous Dialogues: Sharing Ancestral Knowledge to Protect the Earth

On Monday, October 28th, in a lush green space surrounded by the mountains of Colombia, Indigenous leaders from around the world met with government and state representatives in a side event at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). 

During an intimate tableside discussion about the impact of Indigenous guardianship on Earth's health, Indigenous Peoples from North America, the South Pacific, and the Amazon rainforest engaged in a dialogue with government and state representatives from their respective countries about how Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and especially governance of their lands contribute to protecting the Earth. Amongst other attendees were allies of various sectors, including the funding community and more. The event was hosted at the Nature House by Project Everyone in partnership with Nia Tero. 

“Indigenous Peoples, by no accident, uphold at least 40 percent of all the thriving ecological systems on Earth. That is an essential element of a vibrant future for our children and their tomorrows,” said Chris Filardi, Nia Tero’s Chief Program Officer, who offered a welcome to guests and moderated the event. “It’s by no accident, because Indigenous Peoples are living that preponderance of love and relationship with place. That idea that we are kin in the broader fabric of life.”

The event continued with powerful remarks about Indigenous knowledge and governance systems from Indigenous leaders including:

• Valérie Courtois (Innu Nation in what is now more commonly known as Canada), Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI)
• Angela Amanakwa Kaxuyana (Kaxuyana People, Brazil), Executive Coordinator of the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) 
• Oswaldo Muca Castizo (Tanimuca People, Colombia), General Coordinator of the National Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon (OPIAC) 
• The Honorable Trevor Mahaga (Bugotu People, Solomon Islands), Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology – Solomon Islands
• Paul Roughan (‘Are ‘Are, Solomon Islands), founder of Islands Knowledge Institute and Nia Tero Pasifik Strategy Lead

Commonalities on the Wide Spectrum of Indigeneity

Among those who spoke about Indigenous guardianship in their homelands, there was a diversity in their experiences on the spectrum of colonial aftereffects. Still, there were similarities in the enduring relationships Indigenous Peoples hold with the lands and waters around them.

“We are a country, like many of yours, who have experienced colonialism and the dark ages that has caused,” Courtois told the room. “Every Indigenous person that you meet in Canada is either a survivor or close descendant of survivors of residential schools. And so this movement of Indigenous leadership is being done thanks to generations of people who walk behind us and who created the space for this to happen now.”

In stark contrast, almost 7,000 miles away from Canada lies the majority-Indigenous Solomon Islands, where the rights of its people as guardians of their homelands are enshrined in its constitution. “We have the unique position of having a national constitution that recognizes land territory in the people first, in the government second. And which recognizes that custom is a source of law,” Roughan shared.

In the Colombian Amazon, Muca Castizo explained that there is a constant struggle to protect the territories Indigenous Peoples have cared for since time immemorial. Still, Indigenous knowledge systems have remained and play a critical role in protecting the Amazon.

“Us, here in Colombia, through our systems of Indigenous knowledge in each of our territories, have real Indigenous governance, not of discourse,” he said. “We exercise that Indigenous governance in each of the territories – protecting, caring, maintaining order through the use and management of the territory.”

He added that as the world searches for solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss, “We, Indigenous Peoples, have a big part of the solution.”

In addition to these speakers, the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca (CRIC) and the Colombian Indigenous Guards (Guardias Indígenas) were present at the event. As esteemed stewards of their ancestral territories, they wield both the authority and responsibility to safeguard their lands and ecosystems, exercising vigilant territorial control to fight against threats like illegal deforestation and mining. Standing on the frontlines, these defenders embody a profound devotion to Mother Earth, risking their lives in a tireless commitment to preserve the balance of nature and the integrity of their sacred landscapes. 

Coming Together with Kava

The event concluded with guests sharing kava, a traditional drink popular in Pasifik nations, made from mixing kava roots with water. Kava brings people together to dialogue. During the gathering, the kava was mixed by Karl Kuper from the Ministry of the Environment of Solomon Islands, assisted by Elder Fred Ialaua from the Ferafolia community in Solomon Islands. The spirit of Kava is to create a more informal environment, with its calming effects allowing conversation to flow around the tanoa bowl. 

As the drink was served, guests were asked to clap three times and drink each cup of kava in one go, as is common practice. It was a fitting way to end the evening of reflective dialogue and celebrate Indigenous knowledge and cultures.