Mission Origin: A Bridge between Tradition and Sustainability in the Sierra Nevada

In the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Mission Origin emerges as an initiative dedicated to protecting and strengthening ancestral communities. In this interview with Gabriel del Mar, representative of Mission Origin, we explore its origins, vision, and challenges in working closely with indigenous peoples—an endeavor that inspires ancestral wisdom and promotes sustainability.

TQ 1: How did Mission Origin begin, and what drove you to work with the indigenous communities?
GdM: Mission Origin was born from a deep spiritual inspiration. After years in architecture, I experienced an expansion of consciousness that revealed my purpose was to help humanity, not to feed the egos of the powerful. I felt called to conserve the “heart” of the land, uniting efforts with indigenous communities through values of solidarity, regeneration, and ancestral trust.

TQ 2: The Sierra Nevada is sacred and vital. What is Mission Origin’s vision for protecting it and empowering its communities?
GdM: Our vision is based on four pillars: spirituality, knowledge, territory, and nature. We recover sacred objects and support ceremonial rituals; work on land recovery and temple construction; promote ancestral technology projects to preserve traditional knowledge; and designate protected areas to ensure the conservation of the “heart” of the land.

TQ 3: What have been the main challenges working with indigenous peoples, and how have you built trust?
GdM: The greatest challenge has been understanding why this place is considered the heart of the earth—a site where electromagnetic energy nourishes human life and unity with the universe prevails. Coming from a Western model of separation, we earned their trust by humbly entering their mountains, listening, and respecting their essence without imposing change.

TQ 4: What specific projects are you developing in the Sierra Nevada regarding education, sustainability, and cultural preservation?
GdM: We are developing “Ancient Paths,” a project that brings together scientists and elders to merge scientific thinking with ancestral wisdom in combating climate change. We have also launched an ancestral technology project, presented at the International Education Congress in Bogotá, and we participate in temple construction and recovery of sacred objects to strengthen cultural identity and regenerate the territory.

TQ 5: How does Mission Origin balance preserving ancestral knowledge with introducing new technologies?
GdM: We do not support technological intrusion that alters the natural essence of the communities. We believe natural intelligence is sufficient and that any innovation must align with nature’s principles, always respecting and valuing ancestral teachings while maintaining harmony with the environment.

TQ 6: Based on your experience, what lessons can the modern world learn from indigenous peoples about sustainability and coexistence?
GdM: The world should learn the “policy of the heart,” responding with empathy and balance rather than pure logic. In the Sierra Nevada, the idea that “no one wins at the expense of another” prevails, promoting moderate resource use and a solidarity that spans social and environmental realms. These principles, along with clear limits on land use, are vital lessons for sustainable development.