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ECOWEB Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Month: Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Knowledge

As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month this October, we are reminded of the wealth of indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage, and traditional wisdom that has been passed down through generations. The theme, “Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan at Parangalan” or “Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge,” resonates deeply with the ethos of ECOWEB. It is a call to recognize, safeguard, and celebrate the vital contributions of indigenous communities to our shared future.

As we reflect on the deep cultural heritage and traditional wisdom of indigenous communities, it is important to acknowledge their significant role in preserving biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, and contributing valuable knowledge for sustainable living. Yet,despite these contributions, many indigenous peoples continue to face systemic challenges, including the loss of ancestral lands, marginalization, and the ongoing fight for their rights.

ECOWEB has long been committed to empowering indigenous peoples through inclusive and sustainable development programs. These initiatives not only uplift their socio-economic standing but also ensure the preservation of their cultural identity and the application of their traditional knowledge in modern contexts.

Empowering Indigenous Communities Through ECOWEB’s Projects

By supporting the development of ancestral domains and integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs), the IPR project strengthens indigenous governance and ensures the sustainability of their land and resources.

One such program is the Indigenous Peoples Resilience (IPR) Project which aims to strengthen the protection of IP rights and the development of  their ancestral domain. Among its targets is the integration of the indigenous knowledge and priorities into local development, disaster risk reduction and climate action plan, ensuring that traditional practices inform responses to modern challenges. A notable example is the recent “INTEGRATING THE IKSP AND DRR-CCA MEASURES IN THE ADSDPP OF CADT 117 & 090 AND INTERFACING WITH LCCAP & LDRRM PLANS OF LGUs LA PAZ AND LORETO” initiative. This activity has successfully combined Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) with modern disaster preparedness strategies, empowering indigenous communities to take a leading role in planning for a sustainable future.

A key highlight of the IPR Project was its involvement in resolving a significant boundary conflict between the Manobo and Umajamnon tribes in Bukidnon, with the NCIP facilitating a peaceful and culturally sensitive resolution. This process showcased how the project helps bridge traditional governance structures and modern legal frameworks to protect and respect indigenous land rights.

The FPG-SEEDIC initiative aims to strengthen the governance of ancestral domains and bolster the economic resilience of indigenous peoples.

In addition, ECOWEB is also working to address the economic needs of indigenous peoples through the FPG-SEEDIC (Formation of Production Guilds for Social Enterprise and Economic Development of Indigenous Communities) project. 

This initiative, covering three (3) ancestral domains in north-western Mindanao regions,  aims to strengthen the governance of ancestral domains and bolster the economic resilience of indigenous peoples by promoting IP led social enterprise with special attention given to harnesisng the economic potential of abaca fiber.. This strategy has been scaled up in the Sibagat, Agusan del Sur where the GreenFiber project is being implemented that focuses on enhancing the abaca farming system and the access of farmers to technology, capital and market for their abaca fiber and benefiting as well indigenous communities in the municipality.

This body (USIPONON), a collaboration between the IPR Project and the GreenFiber Project, enables indigenous leaders to discuss common issues, such as land governance and climate change mitigation, fostering collective action for the preservation of their heritage.

The GreenFiber Project, implemented by ECOWEB with the support of AWO International and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, focuses on sustainable development initiatives benefiting indigenous communities. The project not only strengthens the management of ancestral lands but also facilitates the sustainable production of abaca, a traditional fiber crop integral to the livelihoods of IPs in the region. This project exemplifies how indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship can align with economic development.

Another vital effort is the formation of USIPONON, a consultative and coordinating body that represents four Ancestral Domains in Agusan del Sur. This body, a collaboration between the IPR Project and the GreenFiber Project, enables indigenous leaders to discuss common issues, such as land governance and climate change mitigation, fostering collective action for the preservation of their heritage. The USIPONON conveners have developed strategies for addressing these challenges, from empowering youth leaders to sustaining ancestral domain governance.

ECOWEB’s Survivor and Community-Led Response (sclr) Approach: A Tool for IP Empowerment

Another integral aspect of ECOWEB’s work with indigenous peoples is the Survivor and Community-Led Response (sclr) approach. By empowering communities to take the lead in responding to crises, this approach ensures that indigenous communities are not passive recipients of aid but are instead at the forefront of developing solutions to their challenges. Microgrants, capacity-building, and disaster preparedness efforts under the sclr approach have allowed communities, indigenous peoples, to take control of their future, making decisions that are reflective of their unique cultural perspectives and needs.

By providing microgrants to communities like those in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte and La Paz, Agusan del Sur, the sclr approach empowers IPs to lead their recovery efforts, utilizing their IKSPs while addressing their immediate needs. The microgrant support enables indigenous groups to initiate livelihood projects and rebuild their communities, ensuring that they have the tools and resources to bounce back from adversity.

Honoring Indigenous Knowledge Amidst Continuing Struggles

While ECOWEB has made significant strides in empowering indigenous communities, it is important to acknowledge the ongoing struggles that indigenous peoples face. Many still encounter systemic oppression, land dispossession, and marginalization. They continue to fight for their rights to ancestral domains and for recognition of their invaluable knowledge in the context of modern development.

Indigenous peoples have been stewards of biodiversity and natural ecosystems for centuries, yet they are often the most vulnerable to climate change and development-induced displacement.

As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month, we must recognize both the successes and the enduring hardships that indigenous communities face. ECOWEB’s work is just one part of a larger effort needed to truly empower indigenous peoples and honor their contributions to society. The fight for justice, equality, and recognition of indigenous rights is far from over, and collective action is needed to ensure that their voices are heard and their wisdom is respected.

This Indigenous Peoples Month, let us commit to truly valuing, nurturing, and honoring the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. It is through collective effort and genuine support that we can help empower them to overcome the challenges they face, allowing their rich cultural heritage to thrive in the modern world.