On Friday 10 April, a screening took place of the documentary ‘Indigenous Perspectives on Just Transitions’, directed by Laure Herpain. The film showcased the work of the KIN Pact working group Indigenous Liberation Month & Just Transitions Network over the past year, as well as the perspective of indigenous peoples on a just transition.
The aim of this working group is to give the valuable knowledge of Indigenous communities a significant voice within the climate debate. And at the same time, to put the structural violation of these communities’ rights on the agenda.
The film screening took place at the inspiring Sonnenborgh – museum and observatory – in Utrecht – Sonnenborgh museum & observatory in Utrecht, where the exhibition ‘Op Aarde’ is currently on display. A wonderful combination with the documentary, as this exhibition invites visitors to reflect on our relationship with the planet.
Energy transition: indigenous knowledge systems and perspectives
The programme opened with an opportunity to visit the exhibition and for Pact members and other interested parties to meet in the flower and herb garden. This was followed by the impressive documentary, which explored what indigenous knowledge systems and perspectives entail. It examined how the energy transition relates to indigenous peoples and how this process has already begun in the past. It also looked at how indigenous peoples view human-nature relationships and whether this could be a way to look to the future together and rethink how we live together.
After the beautiful and inspiring documentary, there was time to gather in the garden and share our impressions of the film, as well as discussing how it might relate to our professional lives. And what actions could we ourselves take in this context to move towards a just climate transition?
Everyone wrote a word on the canvas, in a language of their choice, capturing what had stayed with them from the documentary and the exhibition.
Crucial role
It was a wonderful, inspiring and also moving afternoon. Once again, it became clear that indigenous peoples and local communities play a crucial role in the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems and the associated fight against climate change. And that their indigenous knowledge and its application are indispensable within a just climate transition.