Indigenous Peoples play a crucial role in the conservation of the environment and ecosystems, as their survival very much depends on water, land, and natural resources. Indigenous Peoples are often called the custodians or stewards of the Earth. It is estimated that 25 percent of the earth's land surface is occupied, owned, and managed by Indigenous Peoples. This is no coincidence as Indigenous cultures are rooted in relationships with lands and territories.
Producer: Dev Kumar Sunuwar
Interviewee: Minnie Degawan, a member of the Kankanaey-Igorot Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines, director of the Indigenous and Traditional Peoples Program at Conservation International.
Music: Remember Your Children by Salidummay, used by permission