As a young leader from the Aymara community, what is your role in the global climate justice movement? Iris: It’s challenging. Indigenous peoples are often marginalized in these kinds of platforms, and the expenses of coming here are very high. It’s also hard for youth to participate. We’re a small group here, which makes it challenging to be heard, even within Indigenous platforms. However, youth are essential in these spaces because we help carry forward traditional knowledge for future generations. We learn from our elders here and try to do what they want for the next generations. We’re also here because Mother Earth is deeply threatened, and as Indigenous people, we feel it’s our duty to protect her. This is our responsibility to our ancestors and our children. At the World Council of Churches, we believe that faith connects strongly with hope. How does your faith help you in this work, and how can Indigenous perspectives on creation support what we call “care for creation?” Iris: As humans, we are responsible for caring for creation. In the beginning, God made us caretakers of the Earth, and it’s important to obey this command. Faith can make us strong, especially when we face challenges or obstacles. If we stay persistent, we’re not only doing our duty to the Earth but also connecting with each other and bringing the church’s presence here to COP. Your community holds knowledge that could help address some of the world’s environmental challenges. How does the Aymara perspective see Earth, and what wisdom might it offer? Iris: We come from a dry ecosystem, so we have methods to care for water and crops. We see nature as a partner. When it’s time for planting, nature tells us when to start and stop. We don’t just see Earth as a resource; she is our family, and we treat her that way. When we harvest, we believe that the fruits are like relatives and celebrate with them. Our community believes in water’s importance and uses traditional water conservation techniques, which could help other dry areas around the world. Unfortunately, with monocultures and industrialization, traditional knowledge like ours is often hidden or forgotten. It’s crucial to bring it back now. COP can be a slow and frustrating process. Indigenous voices often struggle to be heard. What do you think needs to change to make political leaders listen? Iris: We do face challenges here. Indigenous peoples have spaces at COP, but many government representatives don’t attend our events, which is frustrating. We need these leaders to be there, side by side with us, discussing real solutions for Mother Earth. To make a real impact, we need to work locally, nationally, and internationally. If governments were present at our events, we could work together on solutions. It would be easier, but right now, only a few listen. We hope that in the future, we’ll have more spaces and real opportunities for dialogue. Many young people feel energized by the call for climate justice. As an Indigenous youth, what message would you share with young people worldwide? Iris: I would tell them to hold on to their roots. Many young people in Indigenous communities are losing touch with our traditions and knowledge. We need to reconnect and listen to our elders. They have wisdom for us, not only for COP or international platforms but also for our communities at home. Small changes in our communities make a difference. To my peers, I say: be proactive, be with your elders, make changes in your community, and raise your voice. This is a big challenge we must face together. Fight for hope, and stay strong. | 
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