BAKU, Nov 15 (IPS) – Kaitiaki! Whaia says he is at COP29 to bring indigenous wisdom to influence policy and provide care (kaitiaki) to climate talks.
Waia, who now lives in Aotearoa, New Zealand, was raised as an Aboriginal in Australia, where in his community he lived a life of cultural practices that protect the environment.
“Our cultural practices, our cultural ways, and nature have always been our teacher and our classroom. Realizing our ‘Kaitiaki’ responsibilities is to be natural in the way we live.”
He came here with the Wisdom Keeper team and the Indigenous Global Eldership non-profit, expressing the choice of, “That we go with them.” There are 16 members of the team with people from all over the world—Hopi, Totemic Mexican, Māori, Palestinian, African, Canadian, Australian, US and Amazonian.
Speaking for people from different backgrounds in the policy area, he said, “People come from different areas here but are united with one goal. Some of us have been working in this policy area and some of us are new to the policy area. We will close the gap between these gaps.”
Regarding promoting indigenous knowledge, Whaia said, “Sometimes we feel that we don’t know the policy. However, if we know our rights of way, our ancient customs and our basic values, then we know the policy. It just gets lost in translation. in language. So we are here to we have crossed the bridge.”
Whaia came to COP29 with her daughter. Moana was happy when she told IPS that it was Moana’s second COP. “Moana also traveled with the Wisdom Keeper team to Dubai last year when she was only seven years old.”
When he brought Moana to COP 29, he said, “I take her to all the important meetings. I believe we have to bring wisdom to our new generation. They are the ones who will inherit the choices we make.”
Whaia, who plays many roles well as an indigenous person, a policy advocate, a women’s rights activist, and a mother, says, “The time we take to care for our children is never a burden. Caring for a family is a right and responsibility that we all share. It starts at home, in our communities and extends to the world. .”
IPS UN Bureau Report
Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
Follow IPS News UN Bureau on Instagram
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
