Wuasikamas Ëconeêrã: Ancestral Wisdom for a Sustainable Future

Nati Peralta
Aug 13, 2025
2 min read

In the heart of Colombia, the Suma Kausai Foundation leads a transformative initiative that integrates indigenous ancestral knowledge to mitigate climate change and promote harmony with nature.

This project, known as Wuasikamas Ëconeêrã, has been recognized as a finalist for the Earthna Prize 2025, an award celebrating innovative solutions based on respect and integration of traditional knowledge.

What is Wuasikamas Ëconeêrã?

The term "Wuasikamas" means "Guardians of the Territory" in the Inga language, while "Ëconeêrã" translates as "healing through the wisdom of biodiversity".

The initiative aims to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on biodiversity and life on Earth, integrating the ancestral knowledge of Colombian communities such as the Eperara Siapiadaara, Inga, Siona, and Cofán.

It focuses on three key areas: restoration of water systems, protection of biodiversity for food security, and strengthening territorial governance for planetary peace with nature.

Impact and Achievements

Contributed to peace and economic growth in Aponte, Nariño, reducing violence since 2012 and empowering 4,650 indigenous and rural residents.
Supported land restoration after a geological disaster and facilitated the global commercialization of Inga coffee.
By 2038, it aims to unify 5 million hectares under a biocultural peace model, strengthening indigenous resilience worldwide.

Community Participation

The initiative follows a participatory approach based on indigenous traditions and nonviolence, involving communities—including marginalized groups—through co-creation, dialogue, and consensus building.

Since 2003, its territorial restoration work has engaged all generations. Inspired by Wuasikamas, the Inga people launched their own university, involving nearly 20,000 people in educational policy-making through talking circles and biocultural mapping.

International Recognition

The Indigenous Congress of Southwestern Colombia, held in Aponte in 2016, boosted Wuasikamas’ international recognition.

Since 2024, the educational initiative Ëconeêrã will expand to 13 countries in the Americas, Africa, and Europe, spreading ancestral knowledge to new horizons.

Earthna Prize 2025 Recognition

The Earthna Prize, launched on Earth Day 2024 by the Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future of the Qatar Foundation, recognizes projects that combine traditional knowledge and innovation to address environmental challenges.

Wuasikamas Ëconeêrã joins other outstanding initiatives such as Farmer Tantoh Foundation (Cameroon), Seeds of Change Initiative (Kenya), and Thriving Fishers, Thriving Oceans (Blue Ventures, multi-country). The four winners will share $1 million to advance and accelerate their work.

Learn more about this inspiring project at wuasikamas.com.