This paper discusses a June 2004 conference, “Sharing Indigenous Wisdom: An International Dialogue On Sustainable Development,” hosted by the College of Menominee Nation’s Sustainable Development Institute. The focus of the conference was on the foundational elements of the Menominee model of sustainable development. The Menominee model of sustainable development is a theoretical model that conceptualises sustainable development as the process of maintaining the balance and reconciling the inherent tensions between the various dimensions of sustainability. The six dimensions are:
- land and sovereignty;
- natural environment;
- institutions;
- technology;
- economics;
- human perception, activity and behaviour.
Each dimension is understood to be dynamic, both in respect to its internal organisation, and in relationship to each of the other five dimensions of the sustainable development process.The model takes as its point of departure that change within one dimension will impact other dimensions in an ever-unfolding diffusion of responses to change, whether externally driven or inherent to the dynamism of a specific dimension.
The conference brought together representatives from around the world and across political, social, economic, institutional and cultural boundaries to Green Bay, Wisconsin. The ideals, values, customs and traditions of diverse indigenous cultures focused upon developing sustainable models of technology, economics, land and sovereignty, natural environment, institutions and human perception and behaviours in contemporary societies.
Twenty three practitioners and scholars delivered papers and made presentations outlining sustainable practices and models. These presentations were grouped into four topical areas at the conference. They included: Sustaining the Wisdom, Sustaining the Nation, Sustaining the Spirit and Sustaining the Earth.
