Indigenous thought in a turbulent world

In an age of discord and ecological strain, such a thought offers a rare invitation to pause and reflect.

As an Indigenous scholar, I am observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 12) as more than a pedestrian commemoration. It’s about imagining new possibilities in a world shaken by geopolitical turmoil and the climate crisis. Indigenous knowledge, as I research and teach, is not just about application to address our climate crises. Across countless cosmologies and philosophies, Indigenous thought(s) offers distinct ways of knowing and being—rooted in the localities and ecosystems that show us the path to care for our surroundings, community and future generations.