Indigenous peoples are diverse groups whose cultural, historical, and social identities are intrinsically linked to their ancestral lands, predating colonial dominance and state formation. Vanessa Andreotti emphasizes that these communities maintain distinct languages, traditions, and governance systems, embodying unique worldviews that challenge the dominant paradigms of modernity. They bear profound, living knowledge systems and relational practices with the Earth that underscore resilience and adaptability. Andreotti advocates for recognition of indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, arguing that genuine decolonization requires addressing ongoing systemic injustices and amplifying indigenous voices. Thus, valuing and respecting indigenous epistemologies is essential for fostering equitable and sustainable futures.

See also: indigenous community, relational justice, cultural supremacy, global south, human right