Integrating Aboriginal Values into Land Use and Resource Management
Author: Graham Ashford , Jo-Ellen Parry
International Institute for Sustainable Development / Skownan First Nation
Winnipeg, Canada
Date: 06/30/2001
ISBN:
Annotation: Since January 2000, Skownan First Nation and the International Institute for Sustainable Development have worked in partnership to explore how Aboriginal people value the lands around them and how this information can be incorporated into provincial land-use and resource management. Taking place in the community of Skownan, the goal of this project was to develop a process that:
a) helps Aboriginal people identify community values with respect to the forested landscape around them;
b) effectively expresses those values to decision-makers in the provincial government, the forest industry and other stakeholders; and
c) stimulates discussion by all stakeholders on ways to incorporate Aboriginal values into land-use planning and resource management.
To achieve this goal, the project adapted an innovative method called appreciative inquiry to local conditions. Appreciative inquiry empowers local people by building a shared vision for the future based on community strengths. The community then develops strategies to turn the vision they create into reality.
The Skownan First Nation/IISD appreciative inquiry project involved the following activities:
1. Training of a Local Team in the Use of Appreciative Inquiry. In January 2000, six young adults from Skownan were trained in appreciative inquiry and practical interview techniques.
2. Appreciative Interviews and Analysis. During three rounds of appreciative interviews, the local team interviewed over 100 people in Skownan. The interviews took place over several weeks during the spring, summer and fall to allow seasonal differences to be captured. At the end of each round of appreciative interviews, an analysis session was held to identify and discuss the values and visions of the people of Skownan First Nation.
3. Community Workshops. A total of six community workshops were held in Skownan. Through these workshops, the values and vision of the community were clarified and an action plan for the community initiated.
4. Video Production. To capture the results of the appreciative interviews, community members were interviewed during three video shoots that took place during the spring, fall and winter. The footage from these video shoots has been used to produce two videos that convey the community’s values and vision accurately and powerfully.
5. Focus Group Workshops. These workshops enabled the people of Skownan First Nation to communicate their values and vision to decision-makers, explore the benefits and opportunities for using appreciative inquiry, and stimulate discussion on how to engage in collaborative processes when working with Aboriginal communities. Participants remarked on the power of the videos, the holistic nature of the community plans and the need to replicate the approach elsewhere.
Through the completion of these activities, the project has identified the values and vision of the community related to natural resources, livelihoods, health and nutrition, education, family, community, recreation, and spirituality. An initial action plan was developed to achieve some of the goals identified by the community, such as planting trees in the community, preserving aboriginal culture through the education system, and maintaining access to and the health of Skownan’s traditional lands. The project also allowed for the transfer of skills and knowledge between Skownan and IISD in a ‘co-learning’ environment. While the project originally intended to address only natural resource related issues, aspects of health, education, spirituality, recreation and economic development were also incorporated as the project evolved. As such, the conclusions can serve to inform program planning and delivery, resource management and community consultation in many areas related to sustainable development.
Online Resources:
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Pdf version of Final Report
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