Wayfinders Circle 2022 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 4
Introduction
Over the course of the last year, the Wayûnders Circle has been presented with new
challenges as our former practices returned, adjusted to accommodate the
ever-changing Covid-19 pandemic. Globally, Indigenous Peoples have shown great
resilience to adapt and maintain their traditional cultural practices, and they continue
to defend their territories. However, peoples in various corners of the world have also
been uniquely aûected, most notably in the sudden death of important leaders, such
as elders and keepers of traditional knowledge. In many cases, communities were
unable to perform associated ceremonies and rituals to restore harmony and honor
the cycles of life. In spite of the diïculties presented by the pandemic, members of
the Wayûnders Circle have strengthened their traditional health and food systems,
developed monitoring and surveillance processes for their territories, and quickly
learned new tools to communicate over the internet. More importantly, they9ve relied
on their own governance systems to respond to the health and economic crisis.
In this regard, 2022 has been exceptional. As the conveners of the Wayûnders Circle,
Nia Tero, the Council of Elders of the World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners (WUISP), and the Pawanka Fund, it was an honor to accompany and support
the Wayûnders Circle in its process to strengthen bonds of mutual support, reciprocity,
solidarity and trust.
Indigenous Peoples participating in the Wayûnders Circle sustain many of the healthiest ecosystems on Earth4areas rich in biodiversity and systems essential to our global
climate, fresh water and food security. Through the Circle, a multitude of experiences
are exchanged, and the lessons learned are shared to build a network of support.
Throughout 2022, the Wayûnders Circle enjoyed enhanced partnerships, increased
accompaniment by the convening organizations, and broader recognition of their
eûorts. The pandemic opened opportunities to hold more frequent virtual meetings,
with the participation of more organizations and representatives. Despite some
connectivity diïculties, Wayûnders members adapted quickly to virtual formats. The
cohort maintained and strengthened itself through frequent communication and
participation in speciûc training processes, ûnally culminating in face-to-face meetings
in Ecuador. The World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners accompanied these
activities, providing spiritual guidance and strengthening ties between Wayûnders
Circle members.
Throughout 2022 the Wayûnders Circle focused on the following goals:
1.
Support Indigenous governance and guardianship of more than 38
million hectares of thriving, sacred lands and waters around the world.
2. Strengthen the Wayûnders Circle network following Indigenous ways and
means.
3. Inspire and elevate awareness of the vision and practices of individual
Wayûnders Circle members, as well as the vision of the Wayûnders Circle
initiative as a whole.
WAY F I N D E R S C I R C L E
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ANNUAL REPORT
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2022
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