From Calvin Helin

Make Your Own Opportunities

There is a clear path forward and reason for hope for a more prosperous future. We must begin by being proactive, and through embracing education, and economic self-reliance.

There are real solutions to Indigenous poverty that meet cultural, spiritual, and environmental goals. With the right approach, knowledge, and partners, long-oppressed nations can take back lost power to reclaim their rightful place in history. By retracing the footsteps of Indigenous ancestors—those fearsome warriors and master adapters of antiquity—development might be commenced on mutually-beneficial terms.

This can be done with corporate partners who understand that projects are not simply engineering problems, but involve consideration of deep-seated Indigenous cultural, social, and environmental concerns.

To have lasting and meaningful impacts, reconciliation must be converted into “reconcili-action”—the transformation of healing and understanding into tangible community benefits such as improved health and infrastructure, jobs, income, and educational and business opportunities.