49-1: Resilience Rising: Indigenous Wisdom in Disaster Response and Climate Crisis Management

Settled in the shadow of the Himalayas at around 3,000 meters above sea level, the Thangmi community stands as a symbol of resilience and determination. For countless generations, these Indigenous communities have flourished amidst the rugged landscapes of Dolakha district, maintaining a profound connection with nature. Our traditions, livelihoods, and identities   are interwoven with the land we call home. Our existence is also filled with challenges, particularly the persistent threat of landslides that emerges every monsoon season.

The stories have been embedded in the land, penetrating deep down to the sediment of the rocks into the heating core of the Earth, our only home. For thousands of years, Indigenous Peoples have been born with the land as part of their cultural identity and ways of being. The increasing rise of natural disasters around the globe is a footprint of colonial and economic systems that have been exploiting the planet’s natural resources. We are burning ourselves up, taking entire ecosystems, from the smallest creatures to the largest, with us.

Donoai Mro (Mro) is an advocate for Indigenous rights, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. A proud member of the Mro Indigenous community in the Bandarban Hill district of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, he was born into a farming family, fostering a deep connection to nature and traditional practices. He recently earned a degree in Criminology from the University of Dhaka, specializing in environmental crime.

For island nations like Barbados, where the rhythms of daily life are shaped by the tides and the rains, climate resilience is not just a goal: it is a way of life rooted in the  wisdom of the land and its people. At the 16th United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP16), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 2–13, 2024, nations gathered   to address some of the most pressing environmental  challenges of our time. For Small Island Developing States like Barbados, the stakes are especially high.

The knowledge and practices of Indigenous Peoples offer more than immediate solutions to climate challenges—they serve as a guiding compass for resilience and healing. Rooted in relational and aspirational values, these teachings emphasize adaptability, community solidarity, and profound connections to one another and the land. Above all, they remind us that resilience is built through mutual aid and the courage to evolve with changing times.

On May 24, 2023, Typhoon Mawar found its way to the Mariana Islands. It was a 140 mph, category 4 typhoon as it moved between the two southernmost islands in the chain, Guåhan (Guam) and Luta (Rota). The eye’s southern wall passed over much of Guåhan, delivering the most extreme winds to the island’s northern region. Luta was just inside the radius of the typhoon’s winds, which caused a number of downed trees and defoliation. Some power poles fell, wooden and tin structures suffered partial wind damage, and power and water were lost during Mawar’s passage.

The San people of the southern Kalahari have thrived in this harsh desert environment for over 20,000 years, developing a deep spiritual connection to the land and its creatures. Our traditional practices and knowledge have enabled us to adapt to the unforgiving climate, and our spirituality and Traditional Knowledge play a vital role in our resilience. Indigenous spirituality is critical in addressing climate change, as it offers valuable insights into the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of living in harmony with nature.

​Indigenous Peoples’ close relationship with their environment has resulted in unique knowledge systems. Elders’ mind maps have been used for generations to guide land management and territorial protection. For roughly 12,000 years, this knowledge enabled Indigenous Peoples to live in harmony in the dense Amazon rainforest, shaping it and enhancing its diversity. Natural landmarks and Indigenous socio-cultural territories often functioned as unspoken boundaries without defined borders.