Thanks to my lovely friend, Brenda, I am able to
watch video on my computer againJ . So I watched
installment 3 of the 8th FIRE series by CBC, not as uplifting as the
previous episode but it was still very informative and positive about the
future of Canada. It is titled, “Whose Land is It Anyway”. It shows us models of good and bad faith
economic development as it impacts our Native Brothers and Sisters. I used to
be smug about Canada’s diamond industry (no blood diamonds here) but DeBeers is
an example of old school bottom-line business practices which no longer fit contemporary
models of corporate citizenship. These kinds of businesses will evolve
eventually or die out… just as the auto industry is changing and pulp &
papermakers moved into recycled products; so too other industries will need to become
civically responsible members of the global /local community.
The Native model of custodial responsibility fits
very nicely with the emerging corporate consciousness. The documentary shows us
very clear examples of how incredibly successful collaborations between established
industries and Native bands have actually been. NO GOVERNMENT INTEREFERENCE
REQUIRED. When Natives are taken into
the process as a fully participating partner amazing things can happen. The old
model of worry only about this quarter’s stock report (or this 4 year term in political
office) is being rejected by the current and coming generations. We want to
know, “What is your legacy?” By focusing our business activities (as Natives do)
on the next 7 generations we can create long-term sustainable prosperity for
all.
This is one of those times when spiritualism meets
advocacy, so this post will appear on both of my blog sites today. If you haven’t
done so I urge you to watch the whole 8th FIRE series (don’t let the
1st one put you off) they are well worth the time.
Have a joyous day.
