By Veronica Bayiha ñwa Quillien, The Language Attitude Institute
Self & Climate Change
As a member of the Bàsàa people of Cameroon, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of climate change on my community’s livelihood in Malmiñañ, Cameroon. Our traditional way of life, deeply rooted in the rhythms of nature, has been disrupted by unpredictable shifts in seasons and increasingly extreme weather events. In the face of these challenges, adaptation has become not only a necessity but a matter of survival for my people.
This imperative for adaptation is what drives my engagement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a global platform dedicated to addressing the urgent threat of climate change through international cooperation. For Indigenous peoples like the Bàsàa, particularly those from the global south, navigating the complex landscape of the UNFCCC presents both opportunities and challenges.
In this essay, I invite you to journey with me as I recount my personal experience as a first-time early career researcher (ECR) and Indigenous observer at COP 28 held in Dubai in December 2023. Through the lens of Indigenous wisdom and spirituality, I delve into the significance of this experience and its profound implications for global climate action.
Understanding the UNFCCC, COP and the Role of the Observer
The UNFCCC, established in 1992, serves as the foundation for international efforts to combat climate change. With 197 parties, it convenes annually at Conference of Parties (COP) meetings where crucial decisions are made to address climate challenges. As a first-time observer, gaining access to COP 28 required accreditation granted to representatives of parties, observer organizations, and the media. My journey to COP 28 began with my affiliation with the American Anthropological Association (AAA), which sponsored my attendance as an observer.
My preparatory journey for COP 28 involved embracing Indigenous methodologies rooted in my ancestral heritage and grassroots research in Cameroon. Through spiritual practices and ceremonies, I connected with my cultural identity and worldview. This holistic approach shaped my perspective as an observer, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse voices and knowledge systems. Integrating Indigenous wisdom into my presence at the conference enriched the dialogue on climate change with authenticity and inclusivity.
As an observer representing AAA, I embraced my role as a bridge between Indigenous knowledge systems and the formal structures of the UNFCCC. Observers play a vital role in providing independent analysis and perspectives on climate issues, complementing the efforts of party delegates. In contrast to the formal negotiations, spaces for observer participation such as side-events and panels offer a platform for diverse voices and perspectives for ambitious climate action. These arenas foster collaborative dialogue and innovative solutions, enriching the COP process with inclusive engagement and holistic approaches to climate governance.
However, observers who are ECR face unique challenges, including securing funding, obtaining visas, and navigating the logistical complexities of attending COP meetings (Gulizia, Langendijk, Huang-Lachmann, de Amorim Borges, Flach, Githaiga & Rahimi, 2019). Despite these barriers, my journey to COP 28 was made possible through the support of my institution and professional networks, highlighting the importance of institutional backing for Indigenous participation in global climate governance.
A Spirit-Based Approach to Engagement
In advocating for a spirit-self, McIvor (2010) suggests blending embodiment, vulnerability, truth, and storytelling. These attitudes were central to my journey at COP 28. Order and process welcomed me when I stepped off the subway at ExpoCity, the final stop of the line. To embody this shift of energy with the interconnectedness of all living beings and the land, I invoked my ancestors by performing a ritual that grounded me as I walked toward Madinah Al Matar to the blue zone. In my invocation, I asked the ancestors to guide my steps and lead to the knowledge I am here to collect.
Walking up to collect my badge, I opened up and surrendered to the guiding spirit of my ancestors. In this vulnerable state, my feet walked me to the African Pavillion. My initial day stood out, setting the stage for my ongoing research in Malmiñañ, Cameroon, where I collaborate with the Centre Agro-Ecologique Jean Makonn Bayiha to address food security concerns. Witnessing the presentation of the African Climate Risk Assessment report affirmed the urgency of our work, highlighting the region’s vulnerabilities to climate-related risks. This truth framed my understanding of the complex challenges facing Indigenous African communities and reinforced the need for inclusive, context-specific approaches to climate resilience. In central Africa specifically, and particularly in Malmiñañ, Cameroon, the agro-ecological center is addressing for example, natural resource management conflict, a key climate security challenge across the African continent. The continental recommendations offered an informed action plan to ensure peace and security within Malmiñañ, Cameroon.
Challenges and Opportunities for Indigenous Participants
Throughout COP 28, I immersed myself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Africa pavilion, attending events daily. This spiritual foundation guided my interactions with fellow participants and informed my engagement with COP proceedings.
Indigenous participants face additional hurdles in engaging with the UNFCCC, including limited language access and cultural barriers (Belfer, Ford, Maillet, Araos, & Flynn, 2019). While Indigenous knowledge systems offer valuable insights into climate adaptation and resilience, they are often marginalized within formal decision-making processes. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to amplify Indigenous voices and promote meaningful participation in climate negotiations.
My experience at COP 28 underscored the importance of Indigenous representation and inclusion in climate discussions. By leveraging my position as an observer, I sought to raise awareness of Indigenous perspectives and advocate for Indigenous rights within the COP process. For instance, breaking bread with leaders of Africa Youth Mobilization for COP (AYM4COP), I engaged in discussions to increase equitable representation of Indigenous African researchers in academic spaces, fostering collaboration between diverse backgrounds to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and scientific expertise, thus promoting a more holistic approach to climate governance. Through this symbolic engagement with fellow Indigenous researchers, I aimed to engage in discussion for an African thematic on climate governance.
Path Forward
As an ECR Indigenous observer at COP 28, my immersion in the event affirmed the indispensable role of Indigenous insights in tackling climate change head-on. Through the lens of ceremony and ancestral wisdom, I found a guiding light amidst the intricate web of COP proceedings. Witnessing the power of Indigenous voices within the conference, particularly during sessions on community-based adaptation and traditional knowledge, reinforced my belief in the necessity of centering Indigenous perspectives in global climate action. My vision moving forward is one of unwavering advocacy for Indigenous cultural and linguistic rights as well as engaged communication on climate negotiations, recognizing that our collective survival hinges on embracing Indigenous wisdom to address the climate crisis.
Dr. Veronica Bayiha ñwa Quillien is a member of the Bàsàa people of Cameroon. As a visual ethnographer and expressive arts facilitator, she analyzes and designs intergenerational processes for the consumption and production of cultural heritage. She is the founder of and Creative Hacker at the Language Attitude Institute. In her role, she organizes cultural experiences to facilitate the encounter with language.
