Journal of Policy & Governance

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VOLUME: 05(02) (DECEMBER 2025)

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M – 00599Analytical Article

Whispers in the Forest: The Enigmatic “Little People” of Indigenous Lore

Dan Frederick Orcherton

Professor and Founding Dean, School of Environment and Climate Change, The University of Natural Resources and Environment, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Email: orchertonandsudario@gmail.com

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0859-2592

Journal of Policy & Governance, 05(02) (December 2025), 131-156. https://doi.org/10.33002/jpg050205

Received: 29 October 2025

Published: 31 December 2025

Reviewed: 14 November 2025

Accepted: 30 November 2025

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ABSTRACT

This article pragmatically explores the cultural significance of the Little People in Indigenous lore, focusing on how these figures embody the values, beliefs, and environmental interactions intrinsic to Indigenous communities. Through an interdisciplinary methodology that encompasses qualitative data gathered from oral histories, ethnographic studies, and existing folklore analyses, this research uncovers the societal functions attributed to these enigmatic beings. Findings reveal that the Little People serve as custodians of ecological knowledge, embody moral teachings, and function as mediators between the human and natural worlds, reflecting a deep-seated respect for nature. These insights have discernible implications for healthcare, suggesting that integrating Indigenous narratives and ecological perspectives into modern health practices may enhance community well-being and mental health outcomes. By acknowledging the importance of these cultural figures, the research highlights the potential for harmonizing traditional Indigenous knowledge with contemporary healthcare approaches, thus advocating for a more holistic understanding of health that honors the interconnectedness of culture, environment, and well-being. The study ultimately calls for the incorporation of Indigenous folklore into health education and policy-making, recognizing its value in fostering cultural competence and improving health equity in Indigenous populations. The aim of this research is to explore the cultural significance and interpretations of the Little People in Indigenous lore, addressing the key issue of how these figures reflect the values, beliefs, and environmental interactions of Indigenous communities; this will require qualitative data from oral histories, ethnographic studies, and analyses of existing folklore to illuminate the societal functions and meanings attributed to these enigmatic beings.

Keywords: Indigenous folklore; Little People; Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK); Cultural health frameworks; Human-environment relationships; Holistic Indigenous well-being

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HOW TO CITE THIS PAPER?
APA Style

Orcherton, D. F. (2025). Whispers in the Forest: The Enigmatic “Little People” of Indigenous Lore. Journal of Policy & Governance, 05(02), 131-156. https://doi.org/10.33002/jpg050205

Harvard Style

Orcherton, D.F. (2025). Whispers in the Forest: The Enigmatic “Little People” of Indigenous Lore. Journal of Policy & Governance, 05(02): 131-156. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33002/jpg050205

ACS Style

Orcherton, D. F. Whispers in the Forest: The Enigmatic “Little People” of Indigenous Lore. Journal of Policy & Governance, 2025, 05 (02), 131-156. https://doi.org/10.33002/jpg050205

Chicago/Turabian Style

Orcherton, Dan Frederick. 2025. “Whispers in the Forest: The Enigmatic “Little People” of Indigenous Lore”. Journal of Policy & Governance, 05 no. 02: 131-156. https://doi.org/10.33002/jpg050205

AAA Style

Orcherton, Dan Frederick. 2025. “Whispers in the Forest: The Enigmatic “Little People” of Indigenous Lore”. Journal of Policy & Governance, 05 (02): 131-156. https://doi.org/10.33002/jpg050205

ABSTRACTING LINKS
Crossref: https://doi.org/10.33002/jpg050205
EuroPub: https://europub.co.uk/articles/786283
Scilit: https://www.scilit.com/publications/4915d504b2badd9f566b8249022448c8
Academia.edu: https://www.academia.edu/164905909/Whispers_in_the_Forest_The_Enigmatic_Little_People_of_Indigenous_Lore
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OpenAIRE: https://explore.openaire.eu/search/result?pid=10.33002/jpg050205
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Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Whispers+in+the+Forest%3A+The+Enigmatic+%E2%80%9CLittle+People%E2%80%9D+of+Indigenous+Lore&btnG=

ARCHIVE & REPOSITORY LINKS
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