Wayfinders Circle Indigenous Wayfinding in Times of Conflict: Ancestral Pathways to Hope, Healing, and Peace

From the plains and prairies of the Blackfoot People, to the coastal and marine territories stewarded by the Heiltsuk Nation; from the tropical rainforests of the Sungai Utik Community in Indonesia, to the Arctic lands of the Sámi reindeer herders in Sweden—this gathering brings together reflections and experiences from diverse ecosystems around the world.

This side event of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues highlights Indigenous Peoples’ understanding of health as a holistic balance—encompassing individual and collective wellbeing, the relationship with Mother Earth, the guidance of ancestors, and the responsibilities toward future generations, especially in contexts affected by conflict.

Through the lens of Indigenous wayfinding, this dialogue explores how communities draw on ancestral knowledge, spirituality, and lived experience to navigate crises and sustain pathways toward hope, healing, and peace.