AHA! Indigenous Wisdom

Ancient wisdom for our modern world

Amazon young women hold ancestral wisdom for planetary balance, yet unheard. We bridge Indigenous knowledge with empowerment, turning ecology into leadership and climate action. Through storytelling, design thinking, digital tools, we foster collaboration where wisdom guides solutions for thriving communities.

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated December 2025

2025

Established

20 2025

1

Countries

Students upper

Target group

The change we wish to see is a world where Indigenous wisdom is valued as essential knowledge for our shared future—where girls and young women in the Amazon become powerful voices for ecological balance, cultural pride, and global connection. We want to see ancient wisdom guiding modern solutions, and communities—human and more-than-human—thriving together in mutual care.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

Peru's Amazon—one of Earth's lungs—holds ancestral wisdom essential for planetary survival, yet girls carrying this knowledge face silencing amid deforestation destroying 17,000 km² yearly. Indigenous practices reduce forest loss 75% through reciprocity with forests, waters, animals, plants, sacred elements—teaching cooperation humanity desperately needs.

This innovation honors young women's silenced voices as living libraries of ecological balance. Partnering nimeraya.org's La Ruta del Colibrí, we amplify their leadership, transforming wisdom into climate action tools. It reconnects knowledge-holders globally, proving Indigenous girls guide humanity's path to harmony.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Youth immerse with elders in Tahuayo rainforest learning forest stewardship, medicinal plants (uña de gato, sangre de drago), sacred elements. Small groups share ancestral stories, songs, plant knowledge through oral traditions.

Workshops co-create practical solutions: build melipona hives sustaining pollination/carbon sinks, craft sustainable artisanal products from renewable forest materials, design La Ruta del Colibrí birdwatching tours showcasing feminine sabiduría.

Youth lead actions—guiding tourists, selling crafts/honey, planting trees—then reflect with mentors on successes/challenges. This strengthens technical skills, leadership, while preserving living cultural wisdom as ecological solutions.

How has it been spreading?

Pilot Phase (Tahuayo-Tamshiyacu): Successfully implemented with nimeraya.org's "La Ruta del Colibrí: Ecoturismo Vivencial y Sabiduría Femenina." Youth established 10 melipona hives, launched craft markets, led 5 birdwatching tours generating S/500 income while protecting 50 ha forest.

Amazon Network Expansion: Next phase connects 12 Peruvian Indigenous communities via women-led exchanges, replicating 6-step curriculum. Builds on Ceibo Alliance model training 30 Waorani/Siona leaders across Ecuador-Peru sharing beekeeping/monitoring.

Global South Vision: Long-term creates cross-border platform linking Amazon wisdom with Andean/African Indigenous groups. Fosters resilience through TechCamps, podcasts, toolkits for territory defense like AIDESEP/ORAU networks.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Get in contact with us on LinkedIn

Implementation steps

Step 1 – Orientation and Introduction:

Youth learn innovation purpose, Amazon Indigenous wisdom value, stewardship principles. Elders + nimeraya.org share ecological practices, cultural stories, women's leadership roles; establish group norms, collaboration mindset.

Step 2 – Nature Connection:

Immerse in Tahuayo rainforest with elders observing plants, animals, rivers, sacred elements. Identify medicinals (uña de gato, sangre de drago), seasonal cycles, species interconnections; foster spiritual forest bond.

Step 3 – Knowledge Sharing:

Small groups exchange ancestral stories, songs, plant medicine uses, artisanal craft techniques, stewardship practices. Builds communication skills, community bonds, reciprocity, collective culture-ecosystem responsibility.

Step 4 – Skill Co-Creation:

Creative/gamified workshops co-create solutions: melipona beekeeping (hives/pollination), sustainable crafts from forest materials, forest monitoring apps. Practice leadership integrating wisdom with action.

Step 5 – Local Implementation:

Youth lead La Ruta del Colibrí birdwatching tours for tourists, craft markets, tree planting projects. Engage peers/communities creating tangible conservation, economic outcomes.

Step 6 – Reflection & Monitoring:

Review progress/successes/challenges with mentors/peers. Adapt strategies, document outcomes (hives built, income generated), share insights ensuring long-term ancestral knowledge integration.