Revitalizing indigenous cultural heritage: strengthening resilience, viability, and conservation practices

Purpose Indigenous cultural heritage represents the unique features of a community or ethnic group’s historical legacy, which has evolved over centuries. This heritage is crucial for future generations to understand the past, the foundation on which they stand, and their path forward, as it highlights the importance of their ancestors’ achievements and the lessons from their life. Without proper preservation of written records, oral histories and accounts passed down through various forms of formal and informal documentation, this heritage could eventually be lost. This paper aims to explore the importance of protecting the complex cultural identity of indigenous communities and the measures necessary to ensure its long-term preservation. Design/methodology/approach There are several approaches that can enhance inclusivity in heritage values, making them visible and accessible to both current and future generations worldwide. While perspectives and strategies may vary, they all highlight the importance of reconnecting with indigenous cultures and integrating historical identities, ensuring their preservation for uninterrupted continuity in the future. Findings Preserving indigenous heritage is crucial for a variety of reasons. A more integrated and comprehensive approach is needed to distinguish between “Indigenous Heritage Value” and “Outstanding Universal Value” and to elevate indigenous cultural heritage on a global scale. The findings underscore the importance of implementing programs that recognize heritage value and treat indigenous heritage as a living memory. Leveraging technology can enhance accessibility to indigenous cultural heritage, ensuring equal access and promoting new forms of representation that can increase its visibility worldwide. Originality/value The promotional strategies outlined in the paper can inspire indigenous and local communities, as well as organizations involved in safeguarding indigenous cultural heritage, to reconsider and broaden their roles as leaders in promoting and ensuring sustainable development.