The Highlander Journal, Volume 3, Issue 1 (2023), marks a milestone in highland studies, coinciding with the Highland Institute’s 10th anniversary. The editorial reflects on a decade of the Institute’s work in fostering scholarship on highland communities and the evolving dialogues that continue to shape this interdisciplinary field. This issue presents a diverse collection of contributions that engage with highland societies across historical and contemporary contexts. Jop Koopman examines awiq-awiq, a form of customary law in Highland Kakong, Lombok, Indonesia, exploring its role in environmental conservation and governance. Christian Poske’s Hutton’s Dream provides a compelling study of how a Sumi Naga family engages with colonial-era sound recordings, offering new perspectives on oral history and indigenous memory. A Perspectives piece broadens methodological discussions in highland research, while the Conference Reports section highlights key discussions from recent academic gatherings. A visually compelling Photo Essay interrogates themes of material culture and highland identity, reinforcing the journal’s commitment to alternative scholarly formats. Finally, the issue concludes with a selection of Reviews, critically engaging with recent works in the field. This volume reaffirms The Highlander Journal's role as a platform for critical inquiry, indigenous perspectives, and new directions in highland studies.