Climate Week NYC tends to be a spectacle of buzzwords, corporate pledges, and polished presentations. But amid all the slick PR and shiny PowerPoints, there’s a different kind of delegation that’s quietly, yet powerfully, making waves: the Wisdom Keepers.
Forget the carbon credits and slogans—this group of Indigenous protectors brings something far more valuable to the table: authentic wisdom. They don’t need fancy graphs to prove their point; they’ve got centuries of lived experience with this Earth. And they’re here to remind us all of something we seem to have forgotten—how to truly live in harmony with the planet.
When it comes to addressing the climate crisis, it’s time we stopped ignoring the people who have been safeguarding the Earth for millennia. Enter the Wisdom Keepers Delegation at Climate Week NYC 2024—an assembly of Indigenous elders, activists, and Earth protectors. With a wit that’s born from lived experience and wisdom that stretches back generations, they aren’t here to mince words. They’re here to call for a shift—one that’s long overdue.
Mother Earth Is Not for Sale
Forget the corporate jargon. The Wisdom Keepers’ message is simple yet profound: Mother Earth is not a resource for profit and exploitation. She is a living entity, and we are woven into her tapestry. Respect her, nurture her, and recognize that our survival is bound to hers. It’s not a negotiation—it’s a relationship. And right now, we’ve been a pretty bad partner.
These knowledge holders remind us that climate justice isn’t just about reducing emissions or saving pandas. It’s about Indigenous justice. Indigenous communities, who are among the first to face the impacts of environmental degradation, have been taking care of 37% of the world’s remaining natural lands. Yet, their lands, cultures, and rights are continually under threat. Climate solutions without them? Simply not happening.
More Than a Plea—A Blueprint for Action
The Wisdom Keepers aren’t here to plead for a seat at the table. They’re offering a crucial blueprint for how we could actually get out of this mess—and it involves respecting Indigenous sovereignty, protecting sacred lands, and finally giving them direct access to climate finance. No middlemen. No colonial filters. Imagine climate finance systems that are transparent, accountable, and controlled by Indigenous communities themselves. Imagine a just transition that centres their wisdom, where the “green jobs” and “sustainable futures” we hear so much about are not just buzzwords but are deeply connected to Indigenous values and ways of life.
Amplifying the Voices We Need to Hear
If there’s anything we’ve learned from the endless summits, panels, and declarations, it’s that we need new voices—ones that don’t come with corporate interests or a desire to keep things “business as usual.” The Wisdom Keepers’ demand is clear: Include Indigenous voices in decision-making at all levels. These are the people with the deep, intrinsic knowledge of what living sustainably looks like.
Meet the Wisdom Keepers
Jacob Johns is a prominent Indigenous artist, activist, and community organiser from Spokane, Washington. Deeply connected to his Hopi and Akimel O’Otham heritage, Jacob uses his art to inspire action, foster connection, and advocate for environmental protection and Indigenous rights. His creativity serves as a bridge, turning cultural stories into powerful calls for collective climate action. Whether he’s rallying his community or painting a mural that speaks directly to the heart, Jacob embodies what it means to be a guardian of both the Earth and its stories.
Sheelah Barefoot, a Chiricahua Apache, brings a scientific lens to the delegation, blending traditional wisdom with academic knowledge. After earning her degree in Genetics and Plant Biology from UC Berkeley in 2016, Sheelah has been a relentless advocate for her community, educating countless individuals on environmental and medical racism faced by Native American communities. Her work highlights the intersections of health, environmental justice, and Indigenous sovereignty, making her an essential voice in the fight against systemic injustices that disproportionately impact her people.
Bodhi Patil is a Gen-Z ocean-climate solutionist and the founder of Inner Light. Award-winning and passionate, Bodhi’s work focuses on improving the intricate relationship between ocean and human health. His initiatives are all about empowering people, especially young people, to build resilience—not just within themselves but for the planet as a whole. For Bodhi, climate action starts from the inside out, and by inspiring others to heal internally, he’s making waves for planetary well-being. He’s not just raising awareness; he’s building a movement dedicated to regenerating the connection we all have with the oceans.
A Call to Action from the Wisdom Keepers
The Wisdom Keepers Delegation isn’t merely calling for change; they’re providing a clear and actionable roadmap for meaningful climate action. At the heart of their message is a powerful Call to Action, which is built around five key pillars:
1. Respect Indigenous Sovereignty: All climate policies and actions must recognize and uphold the sovereignty of Indigenous nations. This includes the right to free, prior, and informed consent regarding any initiatives that impact our lands and communities.
2. Honor Sacred Sites, Lands and Waters: We demand the protection and restoration of sacred sites and lands that have been desecrated by industrial activities. These places are not only vital to our cultures but to the health of the planet.
3. Direct Access to Climate Finance: Indigenous communities globally must have direct access to climate finance without the need to go through coloniser states or intermediaries. Financial mechanisms must be restructured to ensure that indigenous peoples can access resources to support their mitigation, climate resilience, and adaptation efforts on their own terms. This includes establishing transparent and accountable financial pathways that are controlled by Indigenous communities themselves.
4. Indigenous-Focused Just Transition: We call for a just transition that centres Indigenous peoples in the shift to a sustainable and equitable economy. This transition must prioritise the protection of Indigenous rights, cultures, and lands, ensuring that our communities are not left behind but are instead empowered to lead the way toward a just and sustainable future. This includes the centering indigenous knowledge in planning and development of green jobs, renewable energy projects, and economic opportunities that are in harmony with Indigenous values and ways of life.
5. Amplify Indigenous Voices: Indigenous peoples must be included in all levels of decision-making related to climate action. Our voices are critical in shaping policies that are just, equitable, effective, and protect our shared planet.
This Call to Action is not just a list of demands; it is an invitation to everyone—governments, organisations, and individuals—to step up, listen, and join forces with those who have always lived in harmony with the Earth. The time to act is now, with humility and respect, guided by the wisdom that has been here all along.
Wisdom and Action—A Vision for the Future
At Climate Week NYC, the Wisdom Keepers weren’t just sharing their ancestral knowledge. They’re making a call for collective action. Their vision is of a world where humanity lives in harmony with nature, a world where Indigenous rights are fully respected, and where we all join in the sacred work of healing the Earth.
This isn’t an idealistic dream; it’s a necessity. To quote them: “The implementation of this vision is not only possible but necessary for the survival of all life.” The choices we make today will determine whether we secure a livable future for all generations to come. And it’s about time we started listening to those who’ve been here before, for the Earth, for the future, and for all our relations.