Indigenous People's Day: Participatory Democracy, Community Wealth and Climate Resilience

People across all backgrounds in North America would benefit to center Indigenous heritages, present and future in our sense of self.

Today is Indigenous People's Day, and for me, today is a day to express my deep gratitude for the thousands of years of culture, history, and practices that Native communities contributed and continue contributing to life here in North America.

It may be hard to imagine, but civilizations flourished in these lands for millennia before European settler colonialism. However, today, my gratitude goes beyond simply honoring the past as we celebrate Indigenous heritage while acknowledging the ongoing journey toward a more inclusive future.

From pioneering sustainable agricultural practices to developing herbal medicines, their contributions continue to shape our modern world. Indigenous social systems, emphasizing community collaboration, have influenced my thinking on participatory democracy today. Furthermore, their deep respect for the environment and earth-based knowledge should be the foundation for modern environmental ethics and climate change adaptation.

As we celebrate Indigenous heritage, it's crucial to recognize and build upon these contributions, fostering an inclusive future rooted in the wisdom of the past. But even more than this, I feel an obligation to center Native communities in fighting for new models of community wealth building and equitable economic development.