‘Exploring Indigenous Knowledge’ with Archana Soreng
Hosted by: The Natural History Museum, London UK
8 February 2024
Author: Natasha Peters
Editor: Alicia Kroemer
Archana Soreng, Member of the UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change and climate activist from India. Source: www.un.org/en/climatechange/voices-of-change-archana-soreng (2024)
‘Exploring Indigenous Wisdom’ is part of a series called ‘Generation Hope’, hosted by the Natural History Museum in London, U.K, which has the aim of educating and empowering young people on the current global crisis. Archana Soreng, from the Khadia Tribe in Odisha, India, is a brilliant Indigenous and Climate activist. She is part of the United Nations Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate change, as well as part of an Indigenous Solidarity Working Group of YOUNGO and research officer in Odisha.
Archana spoke at this event on Thursday, February 8th 2024 and was asked a number of questions related to Indigenous wisdom, the future, and what it means to be Indigenous. Archana began by describing the meaning of her name, ‘Rock’, which she described as fitting as she stands as a rock advocating for her community. She went on to explain that Indigenous Peoples’ names often have links to nature in the meaning, which is because Indigenous people see nature as a source of identity, culture, tradition, and language. As she describes: “We are Nature”.
Source: Archana Soreng, Natural History Museum 'Exploring Indigenous Wisdom', website: 2024
When about what it means to be Indigenous, she referenced UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and drew attention to how Indigenous peoples and their communities hold the keys to saving the environment in their cultures and practices. This is evidenced in the fact that 80% of the world's biodiversity is protected by Indigenous communities who comprise 5% of the world's population. They are the protectors of the earths biodiversity.
Archana drew the audience's attention to what Indigenous wisdom is, explaining it in three parts: World View, Way of Living and Community-led Practices. She highlighted the way in which Indigenous peoples do not view land as a commodity but as a life source and part of their identity and culture. She gave an example of sustainable living, of her grandparents eating the seeds of pumpkins and using the crust of a pumpkin to carry water.
Archana Soreng ended the webinar with a plea, firstly directed to Indigenous peoples: to embrace their identity and culture while celebrating who they are and taking great pride in that. Secondly, to non-Indigenous people, to be willing to extend solidarity. She points out that we are all in this climate crisis and that we need each other. Archana also encourages the listeners to learn more, connect, and collaborate with Indigenous peoples to protect the earth and halt the climate crisis.
To find out more about Archana Soreng visit: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/voices-of-change-archana-soreng and her X profile: https://twitter.com/SorengArchana
To learn more about the environmental series of Generation Hope, check out the Natural History Museum in London, UK here: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/generation-hope.html
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