Day 12. Kinship Across Nations, Pan-Indigenous Solidarity.

From Turtle Island to Aotearoa, Indigenous peoples are united by shared values of reciprocity, gratitude, and guardianship of the Earth. The Māori speak of kaitiakitanga – stewardship rooted in respect for the land. The Diné speak of hózhó – living in harmony and balance. These teachings, though distinct, echo one another across oceans and continents.

Pan-Indigenous solidarity reminds us that colonization is global; but so is resilience. Across nations, Indigenous activists and knowledge keepers stand together to defend water, language, and sovereignty.

As Unitarian Universalists committed to global justice, we can learn from these alliances of heart and spirit. Kinship across nations invites us to expand our moral circle; to see humanity not in isolation, but in relation to all peoples and the planet itself.

Stories of Global Kinship

Shared principles of earth stewardship and justice unite Indigenous peoples globally in efforts to preserve their sovereignty and lifeways.

Kaitiakitanga (Māori) This concept describes the ethic of active guardianship and stewardship of the land and resources, recognizing the profound and reciprocal relationship between people and the natural world.

Hózhó (Diné) – The Diné philosophy of Hózhó translates to a state of living in beauty, harmony, balance, and goodness—a holistic goal that encompasses physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Global Decolonization – Pan-Indigenous solidarity is rooted in shared struggle against colonial policies and is often mobilized around international frameworks like the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

“Our survival is bound up with one another’s liberation.” – Lilla Watson (Murri, Australia)

Reflection: How can your faith community practice solidarity rooted in reciprocity rather than charity?

Learn More

Indigenous Environmental Network – The Indigenous Environmental Network is an alliance of Indigenous Peoples of North America whose programs focus on environmental and economic justice, promoting the sacredness of Earth and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) sets the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world and is a central document in global solidarity efforts.