Nicky Roma collecting data in the forests of Wabumari, Papua New Guinea.

Honouring Indigenous connections to nature

For Indigenous peoples, nature is not a resource to exploit but a sacred entity that must be respected and protected.

The relationship between Indigenous peoples and Mother Nature is profound.

For the Ashaninka community, the river is a brother. The rainforest is their mother. The tobacco plant is a wise grandfather that guides and protects communities from evil. They believe mountains are guarded by strong protective animals, such as the bear or jaguar.

Their connection to nature is rooted in a belief where every tree, water source, and mountain is life. And maintaining balance with nature over thousands of years has been vital to ensuring the health of Indigenous communities.

Yet each day Indigenous territories and nature face significant threats. Vast areas of rainforest are being cut down as the demand for raw materials around the world grows. It means that precious balance between nature and Indigenous peoples is at risk.

A leader in conversation among the Asháninka, Jaime is a close collaborator with Cool Earth, and his camera traps have captured everything from the rare spectacled bear to the elusive puma. Pictured here next to a tree he planted in his youth.

But does it have to be this way?

“For us, living well as a community is living in peace. That is the most essential,” says Melqui Delgadillo, chief of the Asháninka community of Camantavishi.

His vision for a ‘full life’ is not one full of possessions, but one where his community is healthy. This is echoed across the communities we work with.

We hear time and time again that a thriving rainforest community is one where families can feed themselves, children can grow up healthily, and ancestral knowledge is kept alive. A community that truly balances nature, with their ambition as to grow and thrive.

“We, Indigenous peoples, are moving towards an economy that cares for and respects Mother Nature and all the lives she harbours”, say leaders from the female-led Indigenous group, ONAMIAP.

Ashaninka Indigenous leader in the rainforest.

Respecting Indigenous rights is key

For us, here at Cool Earth, protecting rainforests and Mother Nature, must start with respecting Indigenous peoples rights.

It is vital that their voices are heard when we make global decisions to address challenges brought by the climate crisis. It’s Indigenous peoples who are living with the real life consequences of climate change day in and day out.

But perhaps even changing our idea of development to one where we all reconnect with and respect nature could be one of the answers to ensuring a healthy planet, healthy rainforests and an the end of the climate crisis.

“The forest is important; it gives us life, it allows us to breathe and exist.” Leonardo López, Asháninka leader from Tinkareni.