Abstracts
Abstract
Both the 1987 “Brundtland Report”, and Chapter 26 of Agenda 21 (which emerged from the 1992 “Earth Summit”), formally recognized the role of Indigenous people in global sustainable development. Agenda 21 requires that Aboriginal values, traditional knowledge, and resource management practices are recognized and meaningfully involved in sustainable development undertakings; and that capacity-building in Aboriginal communities, based on the adaptation and exchange of traditional knowledge, is developed so as to increase the ability of Aboriginal peoples to participate in sustainable development. This paper documents the principles behind and development of a practical program aimed at meeting these two criteria head on. Funded by the Canadian government and developed by an Aboriginal corporation with western scientific expertise, the “Earth Keepers” program represents a significant move towards establishing a truly collaborative program with benefits for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal constituents alike. While participants in the program recognize areas for improvement, key among the program’s successful strategies to date has been the meaningful inclusion of Aboriginal community partners from the outset. The program’s built-in feedback system allows it to adapt to better meet the needs of participants over time. Continued scrutiny of this program as it evolves is warranted as it represents a significant departure from outmoded “colonial” approaches to research and development in Aboriginal communities, and an innovative step towards an improved environmental future for all participants.
Résumé
Tant le « Rapport Brundtland » de 1987 que le chapitre 26 de l’« Action 21 » (qui a résulté du « Sommet de la Terre » de 1992) ont officiellement reconnu le rôle des populations autochtones dans le développement durable mondial. L’Action 21 recommande, d’une part, que les valeurs, les connaissances traditionnelles et les pratiques de gestion des ressources autochtones soient reconnues et mises sérieusement à contribution dans des activités de développement durable et, d’autre part, que le renforcement des capacités des collectivités autochtones soit basé sur l’adaptation et l’échange du savoir traditionnel afin d’accroître leur participation au développement durable. Cet article étaye l’élaboration et les principes sous-jacents d’un programme pratique visant à répondre de front à ces deux critères. Financé par le gouvernement canadien et élaboré par une société autochtone possédant une expertise scientifique occidentale, le programme des « Gardiens de la Terre » représente un progrès décisif vers l’établissement d’un véritable programme de collaboration dans l’intérêt des citoyens tant autochtones que non autochtones. Bien que des participants au programme constatent qu’il y a des aspects qui gagneraient à être améliorés, la clé du succès des stratégies du programme jusqu’à ce jour a été d’inclure concrètement des partenaires des collectivités autochtones dès le départ. Le système de rétroaction intégré a permis au programme de s’adapter pour mieux répondre aux besoins des participants au fil du temps. Un examen constant du programme à mesure qu’il évolue s’impose, car il représente non seulement un changement radical par rapport aux approches « coloniales » dépassées à l’égard de la recherche et du développement dans des collectivités autochtones, mais aussi un pas novateur vers un meilleur avenir sur le plan environnemental pour tous les participants.
Appendices
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