Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
Around the world: Philippine Indigenous groups work to restore the forest under a new program, a search finds 114 unmarked graves at McIntosh Indian Residential School in Canada, and a renowned Indigenous artist joins the Western Australia Opera board
PHILIPPINES: Indigenous groups key to ‘rainforestation farming’
Indigenous people in The Philippines are helping with an effort to use a method of cultivation known as “rainforestation farming” to help restore forestlands degraded by commercial logging and rejuvenate ecosystems that can prevent flooding, Mongabay reported on Jan. 17.
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The system combines agroforestry with a payment-for-ecosystem-services initiative led by the Xavier Science Foundation, which provides incentivizes to local communities to lead the restoration efforts.
On a recent day on the slopes of Mount Kalatungan in Mindanao, Philippines, Reynante Polenda, a 40-year-old Manobo tribesman, tends to the trees he planted years ago. Rows of coffee shrubs thrive alongside tropical hardwoods like lauan.
“It should be kept cleared of weeds because the trees will struggle to grow if you don’t,” Polenda explained, using a bolo to weed around the plants. “It’s worth it for the plants to grow well.”
Rainforestation farming, which was first developed by Visayas State University in the 1990s, prioritizes native and endemic tree species over fast-growing exotics. The approach marks a departure from decades of government-led reforestation efforts.
“Farmers were encouraged to choose what and where to plant, provided land tenure is secured,” said Paciencia Milan, a former president at Visayas State University, according to Mongabay. “Because they were given the options to decide, they had the responsibility to take care of what they planted because of its socioeconomic value to them.”
In Bukidnon’s Mount Kalatungan Range Natural Park, households participating in the rainforestation project grow coffee and endemic trees like red and white lauan. The initiative engages NAMAMAYUK, a Manobo Indigenous organization whose ancestral domain overlaps with the park.
Since 2021, about 40 households have enrolled their land in the project, earning at least 60,000 pesos (or about $1,029 USD) per hectare for planting and maintaining rainforestation farms.
Indigenous knowledge plays a crucial role in the project’s design, with leaders selecting native species to ensure compatibility with cultural and environmental contexts, according to Roel Ravanera, XSF executive director.
“Local communities are compensated for tree planting, maintenance, and monitoring, ensuring the survival of the trees for at least three years,” said Ravanera, according to Mongabay. “We consult the [Indigenous peoples] because they truly know the land.”
Tribal leader Datu Dexter Besto said preservation of the forests is vital.
“Protecting the forest is a way for us to show respect to our ancestors who started this,” he said, according to Mongabay. Beyond reforestation, Indigenous organizations patrol the land, defending it from illegal loggers and other threats.
CANADA: Search finds 114 unmarked graves at McIntosh school
A search of the former grounds of the McIntosh Residential School in the Kenora district of northwestern Ontario has identified 114 “unmarked burial features,” according to the Wiikwogaming Tiinahtiisiiwin Project Team, CBC News reported on Jan 16.
The discovery, which used ground-penetrating radar and visual surveys in a small section of the former school property, comes as searches for missing children and unmarked graves continue across Canada.
According to the Paths to Reconciliation map on Canadian Geographic, five sites in northwestern Ontario are under active investigation, including Pelican Lake Indian Residential School near Sioux Lookout and St. Mary’s school in Kenora.
In January 2023, more than 170 “plausible burials” were found at cemetery grounds linked to the former St. Mary’s site.
The investigation at McIntosh Indian Residential School used ground-penetrating radar and visual surveys to find the anomalies in a small section of the former school property
The survey focused on “specific areas of interest where members of Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) and the Elders Advisory Committee anticipated unmarked burials,” according to the Wiikwogaming Tiinahtiisiiwin Project Team.
Of the 114 burial features identified, most were located within the historical cemetery area, while eight were found elsewhere on the grounds.
“Over 70 of the depressions…measure 140 cm [nearly 4.6 feet] or less in length, and likely represent the grave of a child,” according to the project team, CBC News reported.
The project team also identified the names of 165 individuals recorded as buried on the school grounds. Most of them were children, but some adults were also included from Grassy Narrows First Nation. Two Oblates administrators are also recorded as buried on-site.
McIntosh school was founded in 1925 by Roman Catholic missionaries with federal government support, and operated until its closure in 1969. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate ran 48 residential schools, including McIntosh.
Additional searches are anticipated later this year.
AUSTRALIA: Renowned Indigenous artist joins opera board
A Ballardong woman and Noongar language advocate has been appointed to the West Australian Opera board, National Indigenous Times reported on Jan. 17.
Gina Williams AM has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the West Australian Opera, and has co-written two Noongar-language works: “Koolbardi wer Wardong” in 2021 and “Wundig wer Wilura” in 2024, National Indigenous Times reported.
With musician and frequent collaborator Guy Ghouse, Williams has also created four albums, and received six prestigious music awards. She also composed “Wanjoo/Welcome,” a piece taught in schools across Western Australia and featured at the Boorla Bardip WA Museum.
Williams said she is excited to join the board and is eager to contribute her ideas and experience.
“I love the works they present and the local voice they amplify in their programming, both on stage and within the community of WA,” she said, according to National Indigenous Times.
Opera Chair Andrew Pascoe praised Williams’ significant contributions to the company’s evolution.
“Ms. Williams’ contribution over the past few years has guided West Australian Opera in new directions, and the company is proud to welcome such an esteemed collaborator, songwriter, and performer to WAO,” he said.
“We welcome her expertise as a songwriter, storyteller, and performer, and value her deep knowledge of language as a Ballardong woman and Noongar language champion,” he said, according to National Indigenous Times.
My final thoughts
My final thoughts are in The Philippines, where the Indigenous Manobo communities of Mount Kalatungan showcase how traditional ecological knowledge and modern conservation efforts can unite to address deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
By participating in a rainforestation initiative, they are working to help restore degraded forestlands, they protect wildlife, rejuvenate ecosystems, and reduce flooding risks in vulnerable areas.
This rainforestation initiative highlights the value of empowering local stewards. Their deep connection to the land and understanding of native species drive effective ecological restoration. As tribal leader Datu Dexter Besto emphasized, protecting forests is about conservation and preserving cultural heritage. The integration of ecology and tradition serves as a global model.
Indigenous communities worldwide hold centuries of environmental knowledge often overlooked in favor of centralized strategies. Recognizing their expertise is crucial for sustainable, culturally appropriate solutions. Governments and non-governmental organizations must engage Indigenous communities as equal partners, granting decision-making authority and resources to protect ancestral lands.
Legal recognition of Indigenous territories is essential for fostering stewardship. Ownership provides security and motivation to invest in conservation. Additionally, economic incentives, such as payments for ecosystem services, can sustain their efforts. Investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure further empower these communities and enhance conservation success.
The Manobos’ achievements illustrate the transformative power of Indigenous-led conservation. Their work benefits both local communities and the planet, demonstrating the importance of embracing Indigenous knowledge in solving environmental challenges. It is time to recognize their contributions as indispensable in safeguarding the Earth’s future.
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