The water people no longer have water.

The people of water, or the Uru Chipaya as they call themselves in their own language, are a nation of just over 1, 500 people. Unlike other communities whose struggles are often framed around technological change or cultural loss, their reality is shaped by the profound impacts of climate change, specifically, the diminishing water sources essential to their way of life. Their continued presence is a testament not only to resilience, but to a deep, enduring relationship with their territory. As the Uru Chipaya uphold their ancestral traditions, increasingly severe climate patterns and the drying of rivers and lakes place their future at risk. In the face of these challenges, the nation continues to adapt through practices rooted in care and reciprocity with their environment: selective hunting to maintain ecological balance, the construction of water-retention systems, building with local materials, and ceremonial practices honoring Pachamama. These actions reflect not only survival strategies, but a living knowledge system grounded in respect, interdependence, and continuity. This story is about environmental crisis, the strength of community-led responses and the importance of listening to and learning from Indigenous knowledge in the face of global challenges.