Solving the world’s problems through Indigenous connections

Lewis Williams with a copy of her new book, Indigenous Intergenerational Resilience: Confronting Cultural and Ecological Crisis (Rob Rombouts / Western Communications). By Robert Rombouts, Special to Western News November 2, 2021 The world is in crisis - climate change, a pandemic, social and economic disparities, and an increase in white supremacy activities - and these problems are rooted in displacement and disconnection from place, and addressing them requires Indigenous-led, intergenerational resilience. This is the premise of Lewis Williams' new book, Indigenous Intergenerational Resilience: Confronting Cultural and Ecological Crisis. Williams, a professor in the department of geography and environment and Indigenous Studies, said the work is "about inclusive approaches to intergenerational resilience, that centre on Indigenous realities, knowledge-systems and peoples." Intergenerational resilience focuses on bringing together experience of Elders and traditional knowledge keepers and contemporary experiences of youth. The book, which is set in Aotearoa and Turtle Island, also narrates Williams' own story of connecting to the Ngai Te Rangi part of her identity. "Many of us are a mix of different cultural lineages. Most people have lost connection with place," said Williams, who is of Maori, Scottish, Welsh and German ancestry.