Through the project, Indigenous wisdom and ecopsychology for empowering emerging Latin American change makers: moving from Covid disruption to better social and ecological wellbeing, we – Daniel Abreu, Manuela Fernandez and Abigail Quic – offered live virtual and recorded sessions (3 sessions of 2-3 hours each, and 3 recordings) of ecopsychology and indigenous wisdom in the context of a global crisis and changes under COVID-19 and environmental, societal and economic risk drivers and issues. In this time of great turmoil we seek the ancestral wisdom of the elders (how to deal with alienation, intense stress, death, deep societal change, nature regeneration and emotional healing) and practical guidance from eco-psychology/the Work that Reconnects (specially Active Hope practices) and adapt this knowledge from the perspective of young Latin American environmentalists and indigenous leaders.

The sessions aimed at generating a dialogue between young environmental change makers and indigenous leaders in the Latin American region through ecopsychology exercises and sharing of experiences online. In this dialogue, the voice of indigenous people is not interpreted but recognised as bearers of valuable knowledge. Also, we presented to indigenous people what young Latin American leaders are feeling, doing and thinking, to generate common points and to create a space to be heard and understood.

How? We used conceptual frameworks such as ecopsychology to understand and harmonise people’s relationship with the earth. In a nutshell, eco-based psychology integrates psychological insights with the grassroots environmental movement (Roszak 1992). We also used Work that Reconnects (WTR) practices, referring to the suggestions and guidelines for facilitating the WTR online.

Hear directly from Daniel, Manuela and Abigail about their project and the unique chance to learn from the indigenous peoples of Guatemala (Mayan Kakchiquel), the Sacred Valley of Peru (Quechuas) and Chile (Mapuches).