Gold for the good of the greater lot: Indigenous notion of and pursuit for sustainability

This paper looks into the aspiration of an indigenous community to carry on with their livelihood into the future, protect their natural resources, and keep the exploitation of the minerals within their ancestral land under... [ view full abstract ]

This paper looks into the aspiration of an indigenous community to carry on with their livelihood into the future, protect their natural resources, and keep the exploitation of the minerals within their ancestral land under their full control. Indigeneity and locality are played out in the villagers’ notion of and pursuit for sustainability. The value of ‘fair play’ emerges in their justification of guarding their resources and territory. They articulate clearly their ethos that to ‘do right’ means to ensure that benefits of natural resources accrue to those who live on and nurture the land -- no other than villagers themselves. They assume and maintain cultural responsibilities and relationships with the village to ensure well-being for themselves and their descendants at present and in the future. The paper utilized data produced through qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews focus-group discussions, and life histories.