A trowel (/ˈtraʊ.əl/), in the hands of an archaeologist, is like a trusty sidekick – a tiny, yet mighty, instrument that uncovers ancient secrets, one well-placed scoop at a time. It’s the Sherlock Holmes of the excavation site, revealing clues about the past with every delicate swipe.
As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month this October, it’s a time to reflect on the heritage and ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities in the Philippines. From the Cordillera highlands to the landscapes of Mindanao, indigenous peoples embody a living connection to the past while navigating the complexities of the present. Their stories, traditions, and knowledge systems are not just echoes of a distant time but integral elements of Filipino cultural identity.
However, the discussion on indigeneity is not always straightforward. It’s layered with complexities about identity, recognition, and self-determination. Who gets to define what it means to be indigenous? This question sits at the heart of tensions between state recognition, cultural authenticity, and community self-identification. In the Philippines, the concept of being “native” is often entangled with indigeneity, yet the two are not always synonymous. While many Filipinos may claim nativeness through long historical ties to a place, being indigenous is about more than ancestral presence. It’s about maintaining cultural traditions, upholding unique ways of life, and facing the historical legacies of marginalization and dispossession.
This distinction is especially important as we think about the ancestral domains that indigenous communities have fought to reclaim and protect. Philippine indigenous peoples have shaped our nation in ways that often go unacknowledged. Their contributions to sustainable agricultural practices, like the Ifugao Rice Terraces, are emblematic of their deep-rooted understanding of their ecology. This intricate knowledge — passed down through generations — holds valuable lessons for today’s challenges, particularly as we confront climate change and strive for more sustainable ways of living. Yet, beyond the impressive landscapes, indigenous peoples also provide wisdom in land stewardship, resource management, and community resilience that is often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
The historical trajectory of indigenous peoples in the Philippines has been marked by a struggle for recognition, land rights, and cultural preservation. Their experiences remind us of the long shadows cast by colonial histories—shadows that we still navigate today. Indigenous communities have faced displacements, land grabbing, and cultural erasure, as extractive industries and large-scale projects threaten their ancestral domains. Despite these challenges, they continue to assert their rights and demand their rightful place in shaping the future of the nation.
This year’s Global Indigeneity Conference in Banaue, Ifugao, provided a platform for these stories to be heard, emphasizing the importance of building community partnerships and networks. The conference brought together indigenous leaders, scholars, and community members from diverse regions, each sharing their unique experiences and collective struggles. It underscored that true recognition of indigenous peoples extends beyond isolated events — it is about creating long-term networks of solidarity and collaboration. The event’s outcome, the Banaue Declaration: Guidelines for Engaged and Ethical Research with Indigenous Communities, highlighted the need to move beyond extractive research practices and to encourage genuine partnerships that respect and uplift indigenous voices.
In this context, the push for decolonizing scholarship takes on a crucial role. It’s about more than academic theories or rewriting historical narratives; it’s about capacity-building and agency. It’s about creating spaces where indigenous voices can define their own stories and where research becomes a two-way street — engaging indigenous communities as equal partners rather than as subjects. True partnerships are not just about recognition but about action — working together on research, climate adaptation, education, and heritage preservation. Initiatives like the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMO) illustrate how grassroots efforts can lead to a renewed sense of pride and agency among younger generations, who can see their heritage as a source of strength.
As an archaeologist working in the Cordilleras, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing how communities breathe new life into the terraces, connecting their agricultural practices to their ancestors while adapting to contemporary needs. Seeing the next generation embrace these practices, knowing that their heritage is not just a relic but a living, evolving tradition, has been a full-circle moment in my academic journey. It’s a reminder that heritage education, when grounded in respect and collaboration, can empower Indigenous youth to see themselves as stewards of their own history and future.
But our recognition of indigenous peoples must extend beyond moments of celebration. It requires ongoing commitments from both the government and the broader society. From securing ancestral lands to ensuring access to education that respects indigenous knowledge, there is much work to be done. We must move beyond symbolic gestures and empty rhetoric and instead support policies and programs that recognize the unique contributions of indigenous peoples and uphold their rights.
The Global Indigeneity Conference demonstrated how transnational networks can amplify Indigenous voices and nurture a collective understanding of the challenges they face. In a world increasingly threatened by climate change, such collaborations are vital for sharing knowledge and strategies that center Indigenous resilience. These networks, whether they span across Southeast Asia or reach out to allies in the US and beyond, emphasize the power of community. By sharing knowledge about traditional ecological practices and contemporary strategies for adaptation, Indigenous communities can engage with climate science on their own terms and develop solutions that draw from their deep cultural reservoirs.
Indigenous Peoples Month is a reminder to honor the diversity within our country — recognizing that being Filipino means embracing a multitude of identities, languages, and traditions. It’s a call to understand that the struggles of Indigenous communities are not just their struggles but are tied to the broader struggle for justice, equity, and a more inclusive vision of what it means to belong to this archipelago. It also reminds us that indigeneity is not a static label but a living reality — one that continues to evolve as Indigenous communities assert their rights and reshape their futures on their own terms.
In October, let’s take the time to listen to the voices of indigenous leaders, celebrate the fullness of their cultural traditions, and support their right to self-determination. Let us remember that true recognition of indigenous peoples is not about looking back with nostalgia, but about looking forward with a commitment to justice, collaboration, and solidarity. Because in celebrating Philippine indigeneity, we are not only preserving a past but building a more inclusive and resilient future for all. – Rappler.com
Stephen B. Acabado is professor of anthropology at the University of California-Los Angeles. He directs the Ifugao and Bicol Archaeological Projects, research programs that engage community.