Reassessing Indigenous knowledge

Framing Indigenous people as ‘resilient’ oversimplifies their ways of knowing and being.

On May 18, 2025, the Government of Nepal concluded its much-anticipated climate change conference by adopting a 25-point “ Sagarmatha Call for Action .” Point 20 of the declaration addressed the role of indigenous people and their knowledge: “ Recognise the role of local and Indigenous communities in climate policies, programs, and actions, including adaptation and conservation initiatives.” The government’s decision to merely “recognise” indigenous environmental knowledge fell short of global calls to integrate it into climate action. Yet, it is a welcome step for critical indigenous researchers like me.