“The culture of a people is their identity, their history, and their future. To destroy Indigenous culture is to erase an entire way of understanding the world, a wisdom that has sustained life for centuries. Indigenous traditions, languages, and knowledge systems are not just relics of the past; they are living, breathing philosophies that offer sustainable ways of coexisting with nature, of healing, of governance, and of community.” — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú

What if one morning you woke to find your language, history, and traditions systematically erased—not by accident, but by design? This dystopian scenario has been the reality for Indigenous communities worldwide. Colonization didn’t end with the planting of flags; it evolved into policies, economic systems, and cultural narratives that continue to undermine Indigenous identities.

Globally, Indigenous peoples number over 370 million across 90 countries and speak more than 4,000 languages, many of which are endangered. While making up only 6% of the world’s population, they account for 15% of those living in extreme poverty. This is the legacy of colonization, systemic racism, and land dispossession. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the Trail of Tears, where thousands perished during forced relocations. Residential schools in the U.S., Canada, and Australia sought to erase Indigenous languages and traditions, severing generations from their cultural roots.

This erasure continues today. Sacred lands are bulldozed for pipelines and mining operations, as seen in the fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline, where the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s sovereignty and environmental concerns were disregarded. Meanwhile, deforestation in the Amazon threatens both Indigenous communities and the planet. Research consistently shows that Indigenous-managed lands suffer less environmental destruction than government-protected areas, yet corporations and states continue to prioritize resource extraction over Indigenous rights.

Indigenous knowledge is not a relic of the past. It offers crucial insights into sustainability, land management, and community resilience. The Andean concept of Buen Vivir, which prioritizes harmony with nature over unchecked economic growth, has influenced the legal frameworks of Ecuador and Bolivia, where nature itself is granted rights. Indigenous fire management techniques, used for millennia in North America, are now being reconsidered as wildfires grow more severe due to climate change. These traditions embody a sophisticated understanding of ecology, challenging the modern assumption that technological advancement equates to superiority.

At the core of Indigenous identity is land—not just as property but as a living relationship. Yet land continues to be stolen under the guise of development, conservation, and industry. Governments and corporations claim Indigenous land for mining, deforestation, and industrial projects, displacing communities and destroying ecosystems. Despite international attention, illegal land grabs in the Amazon and elsewhere persist. The Land Back movement is not about exclusion; it is about restoring rightful stewardship to those who have protected these lands for generations.

Another crucial aspect of Indigenous resilience is the protection of intellectual property rights. Indigenous communities have developed plant-based medicines, agricultural practices, and ecological knowledge through centuries of lived experience. Yet corporations often exploit this wisdom without consent, patenting traditional remedies and seeds for profit—a practice known as biopiracy. For example, the neem tree in India, traditionally used for its medicinal properties, was patented by Western companies until Indigenous activists fought to reclaim their rights. True Indigenous sovereignty includes protections against such exploitation, ensuring that communities retain control over their knowledge and benefit from its use.

Climate justice is also inseparable from Indigenous rights. Indigenous communities, despite contributing the least to climate change, are among the first to suffer its effects. Rising sea levels threaten Pacific Island nations, while Arctic communities face melting permafrost and ecosystem collapse. At the same time, Indigenous stewardship offers proven climate solutions. Studies by the World Resources Institute show that Indigenous-managed forests store more carbon and suffer less deforestation than state-protected areas. Recognizing Indigenous land rights is not just an ethical obligation but a practical strategy for environmental resilience and sustainable policy making.

Language loss is another form of cultural destruction. Colonial governments understood that to erase a people, you must first erase their language. This is why Indigenous children were forced into schools that punished them for speaking their mother tongues. Without active revitalization efforts, many Indigenous languages will vanish, taking with them vast knowledge of ecology, medicine, and human history. Programs in New Zealand, where Māori language immersion schools have successfully revitalized the language, show that restoration is possible.

Self-governance remains a battleground. Many Indigenous nations had highly developed political systems before European conquest, emphasizing consensus, responsibility, and long-term decision-making. Yet today, most Indigenous governance is constrained within colonial legal frameworks that limit autonomy. Even when self-governance is granted, it is often conditional, subject to interference from national governments. True sovereignty means respecting Indigenous legal and political systems as equal to state institutions.

Generations of forced assimilation, economic marginalization, and systemic racism have left many Indigenous communities with disproportionately high rates of poverty, suicide, and substance abuse. This is not a reflection of Indigenous cultures themselves but the result of relentless attacks on them. Reclaiming identity is not just about heritage—it is about survival and healing. Studies show that Indigenous-led schools, language programs, and governance initiatives improve mental health, strengthen communities, and reduce economic disparities. These efforts must be supported, not obstructed.

Returning land, funding language preservation, and recognizing Indigenous legal systems are necessary steps toward justice. Modern societies must dismantle structures that erase Indigenous existence.

Therefore, under Folklaw:

Indigenous cultures shall be actively protected through full legal recognition of land rights, self-governance, and cultural sovereignty. Stolen lands and shall be returned and broken treaties honored wherever possible, and Indigenous communities shall have full control over their natural resources. Indigenous legal systems and governance structures shall be equal to state systems.

Language preservation and revitalization programs shall be fully funded. Indigenous-led education, healthcare, and economic initiatives shall be prioritized, supporting cultural resilience and self-determination. No government or corporation shall interfere in Indigenous affairs without full, informed consent.