Put together by:  Mary Anne Nui  &  Nanette von Roeder

What  does Sustainability mean?

    The Aboriginal definition of sustainability has more to do with the concept of Seven Generations.  The concept of Seven Generations is that all the decisions that are made should take into account the next seven generation that follow us.  By looking so far ahead, they make decisions that are going to sustain themselves in the world today, but also it incorparates the idea of making sure that the world is left in good condition so that it will also sustain our children into the future.  The definition that is found in the dictionary is; to keep up or keep going as an action or process, to continue to support.  Another description of what sustainability is comes from the Natural Step.  They believe that the concept of sustainability can be seen as "what is taken out of the system for food or energy is restored to the system in waste that can be reused."  Mark Roseland argues that sustainable development can mean either environmental protection or sustained economic growth.  He sees that sustainable development in order to protect the environment "requires economic and social change to improve human well-being while reducing the need for environmental protection".  Our own, Mary Anne and myself, personally understand sustainability as to have this world continue to produce for many generations to come.  A world that is capable of keeping our children alive and healthy.

How does Sustainability fit in with Aboriginal Community Development?

        Sustainability is one of the areas in which the community can work together as a whole.  By this we mean, the Elders have the TEK (check below for explanation) to help the younger generation to implement the strategy that will help to sustain the community economically and the environment safely.   Another benefit that the area of sustainability brings with it, is the sense of pride that radiates through out the community. The sense of pride coming from the knowledge of being productive, helping the environment, working towards the concept of seven Generations and getting paid for it.  In other words, the implementation of a sustainable strategy brings jobs into the community, such as eco-tourism guides, environmentalists, Elders, etc., which in turn helps the people and the community to become more financially secure.  Because of the cyclic nature of sustainability, there will always be some form of employment for the people of the community.

Why is Sustainability important?
        Sustainability is important because it is one of the effective ways of counter-acting the over production of useless material that is detrimental to the environment.  For example, the people who live in the Northern hemisphere have a lot of wealth compared to the Southern hemisphere.  Through this wealth and high standard of living, they have come to expect a 10 % rate of return from Mother Earth.  The harsh reality is that Mother Earth can only produce at a rate of 3 - 5 %, which is not enough to sustain the world population.  In other words, the wealthy countries, who make up approximately 20% of the world's population, use 80% of the world's resources.  This also means that the other 80% are only able to use 20% of the resources that Mother Earth provides.  This example was given to me by a professor of Native Studies at Trent University called Dan Longboat, who is a teacher in Environmental Studies.  With this information, it becomes imperative that we (Northern hemisphere) should look at ways that will help us to work within the limits of cyclic systems of Mother Earth, such as the seasons and water cycles.  By working within these natural systems, we make our way of life more compatible with that of Mother Earth, thereby helping to sustain her for the next seven generations to come.
        Sustainability is also important for the continuation of biodiversity.  Through the teachings of the Elders, people learn that everything is connected. For example, if   without a certain animal or plant that some where in the ecosystem something else may die off.

What does T.E.K. stand for and what does it mean?
        T.E.K. stands  for Traditional Ecological Knowledge. For this concept, traditional means the on going cycles of nature that were observed by our ancestors, through which they learned.  Ecological means that it is not only the environment that is discussed, but also takes into account humans and also sea mammals. Knowledge is what the people have learned based on decades of experience and still continues today, by being part of the ecology.  In other words, TEK is a concept and understanding of interconnectiveness with the world around us. Most Elders possess a great understanding and awareness of the TEK of their surroundings.  An example of TEK would be the knowledge that the Elders of Pangnirtung, Baffin Island have on the ever increasing population of the Bow head Whale.  Scientists still believe that Bow heads should be on the endangered list because they feel that there are still not enough of them around to save them from extinction.  In the mid-thrities, there were very few Bow heads still alive in the area of Cumberland Sound.  According to the Elders, there has been a sighting of 42 Bow heads in one day.

For more information on TEK go to Natural Step or Arctic Social Sciences

Things that Everyone can do at Home for the Environment

1) Do not use plastic garbage bags
2) Compost food scraps
3) Use only paper bags or a reusable canvas bag
4) Have a home garden - organic of course
5) Use the 'solar' clothes dryer (a clothes line)
6) Recycle newspaper, cans, bottles, nicad batteries
7) Use eco-friendly cleaning products
8) Buy recycled paper towels, toilet paper
9) Install compact fluorescent bulbs (remember to recycle them - they contain mercury)
10) Wear slippers and a sweater - then turn down the heat a couple of degrees
11) Buy locally grown organic food products
12) To clean microwave, put water and some vinegar in to a small bowl and set the microwave on high for 5 mins.  Once this is finished all that is left to do is to wipe the dirt away.  The secret is the steam that comes from the water loosens all the caked on stuff.
13) To clean windows, mix a little lemon juice with water and wipe down
14) Instead of bleach, add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle

For more information go to the following web sites: