About the Indigenous Systems platform
Indigenous Systems is a documentation and research platform examining Indigenous systems across diverse ecological contexts. The platform presents field documentation, research, and conceptual work exploring how Indigenous systems operate as integrated systems of life and how they are encountered within international research and governance discussions. The work presented on this platform documents living Indigenous systems and examines how they are engaged within global institutional contexts, including discussions related to biodiversity, climate adaptation, land stewardship, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS), and Traditional Knowledge (TK).
The Indigenous Systems platform hosts research and documentation initiatives conducted through Humanculture, an Indigenous-led global nonprofit organization working with Indigenous peoples and societies to document and support Indigenous systems across diverse ecological regions. Through these partnerships, Humanculture contributes to the documentation and recognition of Indigenous systems as living, stewarded systems that continue to shape environmental governance and cultural continuity across global landscapes.
The framework and documentation presented on this platform are developed through the work of Stephanie Zabriskie, whose research examines Indigenous systems, governance, climate adaptation, and community-based development. Her role includes supporting Indigenous peoples and societies in documenting, organizing, and sharing their knowledge within global forums when they wish to do so, with their approval and in accordance with their knowledge sovereignty. This work seeks to ensure that knowledge is attributed to the appropriate knowledge holders and Indigenous societies, and that it remains held, stewarded, and shared on terms determined by them. ORCID: 0009-0000-9273-1529
Indigenous systems organize relationships among land, knowledge, livelihoods, culture, climate, and community. These systems develop through continuous interaction between Indigenous peoples and the environments they inhabit, shaped by ecological conditions, cultural traditions, and intergenerational knowledge. Across the world, Indigenous peoples maintain complex systems that guide how landscapes are managed, knowledge is transmitted, livelihoods are sustained, and environmental change is navigated.
Institutional Engagement and Global Platforms
The work associated with Humanculture and the Indigenous Systems platform contributes to global discussions on biodiversity, food systems, and Indigenous knowledge through participation in international research processes and United Nations–related platforms.
United Nations Recognition
Humanculture is registered with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) through the eSango platform as an Indigenous Peoples’ Organization (IPO). Once accredited, this enables participation in United Nations processes, including the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
Indigenous Collective Governance
Humanculture is a member of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IIFBES), a global caucus representing Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) within biodiversity-related United Nations processes.
Scientific and Technical Expertise
Humanculture founder and Executive Director, Stephanie Zabriskie, serves as an Expert Contributor to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), providing technical input to global assessments and supporting the integration of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) within international science and policy processes.
Food Systems and Family Farming
Humanculture contributes to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Family Farming Knowledge Platform, supporting global dialogue on pastoralist rights, sustainable food systems, and the preservation of traditional agricultural knowledge and practices.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience
Humanculture is registered on the global knowledge platform of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The organization contributes knowledge resources and practice documentation related to Indigenous governance systems, climate adaptation, and community-based approaches to disaster risk reduction.
Humanculture
The work presented on this platform emerges through initiatives conducted through Humanculture, an Indigenous-led global nonprofit organization engaged in documenting Indigenous systems and supporting community-based initiatives across multiple regions.
Humanculture works with globally with Indigenous peoples and societies on projects related to water access, ecological stewardship, cultural continuity, sustainable livelihoods, health and education access, climate resilience, and knowledge documentation.