National Geographic magazine, July 2024 Issue

From conservation to culture, how those who came first are charting a new tomorrow. (Art by Cannupa Hanska Luger, filmed by Gabriel Fermin). National Geographic stories take you on a journey that's always enlightening, often surprising and unfailingly fascinating. This month–Indigenous futures.

In this issue: See the future through the eyes of 6 Indigenous artists — These North America-based creatives offer their vision of “who we are, where we come from, and where we are going.”; How 'Reservation Dogs' sparked a Native filmmaking boom in Tulsa — Filmmakers have built on the success of the popular show to transform the Oklahoma city into the center of Native television and cinema.; The Māori saved their language from extinction. Here’s how. — Born from a movement that swept New Zealand in the 1970s, the Māori model has helped cultures around the globe reclaim what colonization stole.; Palau’s waters are some of the most biodiverse in the world—thanks to its defenders — The Hatohobei people's innovative protections ensure a reef's health for generations to come.; Peru's Quechua rappers have the world taking notice — In the Andean country, young Indigenous musicians use hip-hop as an expression of their language and culture.; On Kaua'i, Hawaiians use ancient wisdom to tackle modern challenges — The moku and ahupua’a systems provide a blueprint for communities and nations hoping to maintain thriving ecosystems.; What is queer Indigenous art? A conversation between two leading Nigerian creatives — Author Akwaeke Emezi and designer Adeju Thompson reflect on their paths to finding the audacity to produce queer, Indigenous work.; How queer and nonconformist creators are redefining what it means to be Nigerian — A series of portraits show queer and nonconformist Nigerians expressing themselves despite repressive laws and societal stigmas.; What Inughuit hunters can teach us about the revered narwhal — The Indigenous community has observed and pursued narwhals for generations in Greenland. They believe it’s time that scientists and governments paid more attention.; Deb Haaland: A new era of partnership between tribal nations and the federal government — The history-making U.S. interior secretary shares how she is building stronger relationships with Native communities—one co-stewardship agreement at a time.; What does the future look like in Indigenous hands? — National Geographic Explorer Keolu Fox says the key to harnessing the technology of tomorrow is centering traditions of the past.; Make this James Beard winner's recipe for her popular fish hash — Mashpee-Wampanoag chef Sherry Pocknett, the first Indigenous woman to win the award, pays homage to her family with this healthful meal.; ‘This is Cofán land’: the fight to save Amazonia from intruders — The Cofán people in Ecuador watch over the forest to defend it from invaders. After studying in the U.S., Hugo Lucitante returned home to help.; Aboriginal women are reclaiming traditions of fire — For Irukandji knowledge holder Siobhan Singleton, continuing cultural fire management to preserve the forest means practicing living knowledge.; Mongolia became a global leader in conservation by returning to its Indigenous roots — Buryat Mongol elder Erjen Khamaganova credits the Indigenous emphasis on humanity’s relationship with nature as the foundation for protecting the country’s lands.; Why we dedicated an entire issue to Indigenous Futures — “Bringing more Indigenous perspectives into National Geographic provides a new level of richness to the work.”; An independent assessment of National Geographic’s 'Indigenous Futures' special issue — National Geographic staff convened a board of creators to assess the editorial direction and practices that shaped our coverage.