Saskatoon, Saskatchewan- At the seventh annual World Indigenous Business Forum in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, a delegation of Indigenous business leaders from across the globe resolved to define Indigenous Development in their own terms. Following an impassioned keynote by Dr. Ernesto Sirolli, a delegation of individuals from Indigenous communities across the globe rallied to write a description that would accurately reflect what they do. Facilitated by Sirolli himself, a pioneer in sustainability, the group produced the following resolution statement, in English and Spanish, that was accepted unanimously by the entire forum:
CHANGE OF THE DEFINITION OF INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT
In consideration of the cosmology of indigenous populations as exemplified by the common knowledge of its people, and the application to every aspect of life from politics to economics to science, spirituality, morality and philosophy, our definition of Indigenous Development is:
"Indigenous development is the organized effort by Indigenous Peoples to honor, enhance, and restore their well-being while retaining a distinctiveness that is consistent with their ancestral values, aspirations, ways of working, and priorities on behalf of all Future Generations. Their efforts also strive to share a holistic model of livelihood that respects the Creator, the Earth and promotes sustainability now and for the generations to come.”
CAMBIO PARADIGMATICO DEL CONCEPTO
DE DESARROLLO INDIGENA
Considerando que la cosmovisión desde la mirada de los indígenas se explica desde las nociones comunes de los pueblos, que se aplican a todos los campos de la vida, desde la política, la economía o la ciencia hasta lo espiritual, la moral o la filosofía nuestra definición de desarrollo indígena es:
"El desarrollo indígena es el esfuerzo organizado por los pueblos indígenas para honrar, mejorar y restaurar el bienestar a la vez que se retiene la peculiaridad consistente con sus valores ancestrales, sus aspiraciones y sus formas de trabajo y sus prioridades a nombre de las generaciones futuras. Sus esfuerzos también aspiran a compartir un modelo holístico de vida que respeta al Creador, la tierra y promueve la sustentabilidad actual y para las generaciones futuras."
The World Indigenous Business Forum is organized by the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute since 2010.