Indigenous Peoples

Reversing history with today’s tools: the bridge between Europe and Indigenous Peoples

Prof. Claudia Laricchia and Prof. Roberto Reali 

As Europe grapples with its complex history of colonization and cultural dominance – which seems to be a taboo for those who committed genocides which in fact are not exactly part of our school programs -, there is an emerging realization that the path to true global sustainability must acknowledge and integrate the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. 

This need is making emerging an inconvenient truth that some of western humans embrace with curiosity and open mind and some others reject. 

An exception to the European current silence and redemption from history, is Pope Francis. He probably is the only reliable global leader these days if we consider the current conflicts and/or circus we are observing during the US upcoming elections.

Indeed, Pope Francis took into consideration the petition of Indigenous Peoples delivered hand to hand by Mindhai Bastida, Indigenous’ leader from Mexico and at once member of the Executive Committee of the Alliance and representative of the Otomi people of Mexico.

He gave the Pope the Declaration of the Alliance of the Guardians and Children of Mother Earth; on the occasion of the Laudato Si’ International Conference on the Care of Mother Earth and the Future Generations, held at the Vatican.

Instead of repeating historical mistakes, we are now in an era where collaboration, shared knowledge, and mutual respect can reshape our collective future. 

This bridge between Europe and Indigenous communities offers an unprecedented opportunity to reverse history—not by erasing it but by transforming the way we interact and engage with ourselves and the world.

In discussing history, human connections and even the roots of human civilization, we often overlook the profound contributions of Indigenous Peoples, who embody the emotional and imaginative foundation of early civil societies. Unlike modern approaches driven by logic and science, Indigenous cultures have historically relied on emotions, rituals, and collective experiences to bond communities.

This idea mirrors the philosophy of Giambattista Vico, a thinker from the early 18th century, who delved into the origins of human society in his monumental work La Scienza Nuova (The New Science). In his study, Vico turns to Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, recognizing them as reflections of early civilizations, and through them, he traces the traditions, values, and wisdom that stem from Indigenous cultures.

The book is dated 1744 and is still in the Museum of Vatolla (Italy) and everyone can visit it as we have done in 2023 together with Rituraj Phukan, President of the Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Justice Forum and co-founder of the Smily Academy.

For Vico, civilization arises not through rational constructs, but through shared human experiences, beginning with awe and fear of nature. This is evident in how Indigenous Peoples first responded to the mysteries of the world—by creating myths, gods, and religious practices that united their communities.

As Vico argues, religion is born from humanity’s reaction to nature’s unpredictability, marking the transition from fear to belief systems, which in turn forged family structures, law, and eventually, organized civilization.

At the core of Vico’s theory is the idea that civilization progresses through emotion, imagination, and shared stories, rather than through cold logic. He emphasizes that each culture follows a unique path, grounded in its creative spirit. If societies were based purely on mathematics and logic, they would all be the same.

But the richness of human culture, as seen in the diversity of Indigenous practices, shows that civilization is first built on imagination. From this starting point, people transition to law, becoming civil and wise over time, but always carrying the imprint of their imaginative origins.

The key message here is that for Vico, the diversity we see today in global civilizations traces back to the imaginative and emotional expressions first seen in Indigenous Peoples. They were the earliest creators of societal bonds through religion and shared experiences, offering a foundational wisdom that continues to shape our world.

Cultural shifts and new awareness

Today, there is a growing cultural awareness in Europe that Indigenous knowledge, once dismissed or marginalized, holds essential insights into living in harmony with nature. This shift in consciousness has been catalyzed by Indigenous leaders who have raised their voices on global platforms, such as the UN, FAO, and COP conferences.

The wisdom embedded in Indigenous practices, particularly in relation to land stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and community-led decision-making, is now recognized as critical for addressing the global climate crisis.

One example of this cultural change is the growing popularity of regenerative agriculture, a practice rooted in Indigenous land management. It is now seen as a vital solution to Europe’s agricultural challenges, which have long been dominated by industrial farming. According to recent reports, Europe’s land degradation has resulted in a loss of productivity estimated at €1.25 billion annually, which highlights the need for new approaches.

Economic and geopolitical realignments

Economically, there is a burgeoning movement to support Indigenous eco-business models that align with sustainability goals. This is no longer about charity or aid—it’s about investment. For example, the UNDP’s programs, in which eco-business projects co-designed by Indigenous communities are financially supported, are an acknowledgment that Indigenous knowledge is invaluable in driving economic growth while preserving ecosystems.

Such projects in areas like Assam, where Smily Academy has been active, demonstrate that Indigenous-led solutions are both scalable and impactful.

On the geopolitical stage, the fight for climate justice has created an intersection where Europe and Indigenous nations can collaborate. The rise of climate litigation—where Indigenous communities are challenging governments and corporations for environmental destruction—has been supported by European legal frameworks. This collaboration represents a shift in how Indigenous rights are perceived, with international bodies increasingly recognizing their legitimacy.

The Fight for Justice and Human Rights: Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Justice Forum 

Despite these positive developments, the need for justice and human rights for Indigenous Peoples remains critical. In many parts of the world, including within Europe’s borders, Indigenous communities still face marginalization, land dispossession, and violence.

According to Amnesty International, Indigenous defenders of environmental and land rights are disproportionately targeted, with one report noting that over 212 land and environmental activists were killed in 2019, many of them Indigenous. These numbers highlight the ongoing struggles these communities face in their fight for justice.

In the context of climate justice, the Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Justice Forum (IPCJF), led by Rituraj Phukan, serves as a platform for amplifying Indigenous voices in the climate movement. As Chief of Global Strategic Cooperation for the IPCJF, I’ve witnessed firsthand the tireless work being done to push for policies that not only mitigate climate change but also address historical injustices. 

More. My nominee itself is a gesture of revolution from the Forum as I am European, but as declared last year on the occasion of this nominee, for uniting efforts it’s much more relevant and important my soul, values and vision than my roots and professional expertise. Humanity first. Community driven solutions first. Whatever community means and I believe it means a diverse group of people sharing soul roots and able to go behind every possible boundaries.

Smily Academy: A Model for Educating and Acting on Climate Justice 

At the heart of this movement is the Smily Academy, an international educational initiative born from the vision of creating sustainable, community-driven solutions to climate emergency. As part of the IPCJF and also as European legal entity [in Italy, in Milano] to make the mutual support smoother and the bridge more balanced, Smily Academy bridges knowledge and action by equipping young leaders with the skills needed to address both global and local challenges.

Our model is simple yet transformative: we co-design eco-business projects that directly address the needs of Indigenous communities, ensuring that these solutions are practical, scalable, and sustainable. For example, in Assam, our graduates have launched,  among others, a project focusing on water management and food security, which are crucial for the future of these regions.

That project was awarded a $30,000 grant from the UNDP Rome and Italian Government – Minister of Environment and Energy Security MASE -, so now one of our best Alumni, Mathias Kpètohoto, graduated in Assam (India) from Benin (Africa), can concretely bring water management solutions to his community, showcasing the international reach and impact of the Smily Academy’s approach.

The Power of Understanding

In the words chosen by Ivani Pauli, Smily Academy’s Brazil Director, “You can’t tackle what you don’t fully understand—facing real-world challenges requires firsthand experience.” This sums up the mission of the Smily Academy: to foster a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding climate change, sustainability, and justice, especially from the perspective of Indigenous Peoples.

As we prepare for COP29 in Azerbaigian and COP 30 in Brazil, we ask: are we ready to understand what humanity needs to change? Smily Academy stands as a global network of talents ready to take on this challenge, driven by a passion for justice and action and trained to act together.

By educating young leaders and forging strong alliances between Europe and Indigenous communities, we are creating a future where history is not forgotten but is transformed through knowledge, respect, and mutual action.

Prof. Claudia Laricchia, Smily Academy Global – President and co-founder and Mahabahu Magazine correspondent from Europe 

claudia.laricchia@smilyacademy.org www.smilyacademy.org 

Prof. Roberto Reali, Italian National Council for Research and Professor of History

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