In the context of sustainable development, indigenous peoples are perceived as non-modern, vulnerable groups, and beneficiaries of development programs by some and as agents of change and resilient communities by others. This dichotomous perception is related to a general juxtaposi- tion of scientific (“modern”) versus indigenous (“traditional”) knowledge. This in turn is reflected in a theoretical recognition of indigenous knowledge in international agreements, such as the Agenda 2030 and the Sendai Framework, on one side contradicted by a disbelief in indigenous communi- ties’ abilities to sustainably manage natural resources and cope with disasters in practice. The paper discusses the areas of development in which there are tenuous efforts to integrate indigenous knowledge, and the extent to which these efforts are visible. It looks at the potential and shortfalls of valuing indigenous knowledge in relation to ‘western science’ in sustainable development and disaster risk management and in seeking possible solutions in the current COVID-19 pandemic.