We need Indigenous communities for a better world

For centuries, many Indigenous communities have been forced to live a story based on a colonial legacy, a story that forces them to extract their natural resources as the only way to receive a monthly income. Minga, or minka, is an ancient form of community work from the Andes, centred on collective well-being of the community. Rooted in the Kichwa term "Maki Puray," meaning "lending a hand," minga traditionally involves payment in-kind rather than money. Once common for tasks like clearing fields or raising barns, minga blends utility with social connection. Today it is less common due to its non-monetary nature, but it remains a vital practice among Indigenous communities in the Ecuador’s Amazon region. To mark the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, we sat down with the team of Humans of Abundance (H4A), a project of Fundación Pachaysana, a non-profit organisation in Ecuador. H4A is committed to being a catalyst in the 'minga' of interconnected community efforts, uniting local and global initiatives with the natural world for the collective good. H4A advocates for a new rhythm like a synchronized ensemble of drummers that has Indigenous communities at the forefront of environmental restoration.

Wounds of history

Generations have been scarred by neglect, racism, and oppression, a legacy that traces back to the beginning of colonization. Faced with the poverty and lack of education left in its wake, many have turned to harmful monoculture practices and deforestation to sell timber. The prevailing economic system pressures them into extractive activities, as protecting the forest rarely provides a source of income. The absence of socio-economic opportunities forces the younger generation to leave their communities in search of education and jobs in urban areas—choices that erode the preservation of traditional knowledge and the conservation of forests within their communities.

Ecocultural restoration with local families in the Amazon and Andes

Humans for Abundance aims to empower Indigenous communities, transforming those who have been forced into harmful agricultural practices into restorers of their ancestral traditions, identity, culture, and forests. Here, we share quotes from two such restorers within the community: “We used to cut down the forest to cultivate naranjilla and watched as it was gradually destroyed. I didn't know what restoration was until community leaders connected us to the concept and formed a group of restorers. I joined, but only by experiencing it did I realize its importance. My dedication to restoring the forest has grown yearly, improving our lives and the natural environment around us. I want to contribute to a healthier planet and pass this knowledge on to other communities because we all need each other for a better life.” Javier Aviléz, Mushullakta community in the Ecuadorian Amazon

“In the past, we used to destroy forests and mistreat nature to obtain economic resources for survival. But now, with support, we have transformed our farm and community to live in harmony with nature and the forest. We have received workshops and teachings to restore the forest and pass on new knowledge to the younger generation. We nurture future leaders who study within our community and remain here to protect our territory, traditions, and the forest.” Mayra Shiguango, Mushullakta community in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Indigenous Peoples are restorers of nature

Humans of Abundunce’s approach is simple: support underrepresented people from the global south recognising their identities, culture and ways of life (restorers) and connecting them with people from the global north (co-restorers) who dedicatedly want to fight climate change, biodiversity loss and protect sensible ecosystems. H4A runs an education program that teaches project development, leadership, and conflict resolution. With constant support, individuals transition from feeling powerless to feeling powerful. This facilitates an incredible healing journey for their hearts, minds, and communities, inspiring them to take the lead in healing our planet When Indigenous families begin to see themselves as restorers rather than merely farmers, they develop a mindset focused on protecting their territories and reclaiming their identities. This new way of thinking, combined with adequate economic incentives and community support, helps them transition from harmful practices like monoculture and deforestation to regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration. By embracing and celebrating their ancestral knowledge, these communities not only revive Indigenous traditions but also work to dismantle the oppressive systems that have been imposed on them for centuries. From the Arctic to the South Pacific, Indigenous communities have cared for their lands for generations, they are among the planet's fiercest protectors, yet they're also the most vulnerable to climate change. There are an estimated 476 million indigenous peoples in the world, living across 90 countries, comprising less than 5 percent of the world's population. If we are to be successful at restoring our Earth’s most important ecosystems, social and environmental justice is needed. We must see ourselves as one big human family, everybody could chip in with their available resources to lend a hand in the restoration of Mother Nature.