Indigenous peoples worldwide are particularly hit hard. As they live in close harmony with nature, they are on the front lines of the climate crisis and their culture, traditions and livelihoods are under threat.

To collect the stories about the daily reality behind the statistics and the news, we visited the Inuit in Oqaatsut (Greenland), the Sami in Ammarnäs (Sweden), the Loba in Lo Manthang (Nepal), the Khalkha in Tuul Goliin Hundii (Mongolia) and the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation in Old Crow (Canada). We stayed in their community and participated in their daily lives. We listened to their stories, asked questions, and observed. We learned about their community, their culture, and their experiences. We saw nature through their eyes and were confronted with the consequences of climate change which they are experiencing.

We saw their resilience, struggle, and powerlessness. By being part of their lives for a short while, we got to know the people and their daily reality. Climate change is not something of the future, it is happening now. The stories of Malik, Marja, Lhakpa, Chantsaa and James are proof of this.

“Dudock and Franken present a strong voice of the original inhabitants of the Arctic region in both words and images. An area hit hardest by the climate crisis and where the residents are the last to contribute to emissions, but who are now paying the highest price. This book shows its impact on their lives in all facets.” – Kadir van Lohuizen, photographer and cinematographer

“This book shows the far-reaching impact of climate change on indigenous peoples and their daily lives, their culture and traditions, their future – and that of our planet. Confrontational, and strikingly portrayed in image and word.” – Barbera Bosma, managing editor National Geographic Traveler

The book is a Dutch edition and part of the multimedia project Indigenous People Today, which consists of a book (longreads), journalistic reports (including Trouw, De Groene Amsterdammer, MO* Magazine, De Morgen), short video documentaries and an exhibition.