Seven Generations to Sustainability

Seven generations reflects the awareness that every decision we make here and now is made for seven generations into the future or with that generation's well-being at the forefront of our decisions.  It is more than an ideal, its a way of life.  The origins of this are found in Great Law of the Iroquois, though many tribes held this or something similar to be a truth in their way of living.  I grew up with a close affection to Native American beliefs, going to pow-wows, curiously looking at my father’s photos of my great grandmother who was Sauk/Fox.  

So now as I tackle a complex conservation issue (climate change on watersheds) I wonder, how close to this way of thinking is our new buzzword, sustainability.  Should we, every time we say sustainability, give homage to the painful history and wonderful resilience of these cultures?  Returning home last year from 2 years in rural Zambia and 13 years in the cityscape of L.A., I hoped that my heritage might fall into place.  The connection and rejuvenation I had hope to find, though this wasn’t as clear and easy as I had hoped.   What do you do when you are looking for something?  You search with your mind and hopefully your heart. 

I began this year with intentions to start this search.  First step: attending the Native Summit hosted by Nelsons Institute.  It was defining moment in my educational career that allowed me to step over many of the barriers that had been created in my world through re-adjusting to western society and the academia world.  It allowed me to challenge my beliefs, methods, and desire to be in a certain place.  I did not end up in a placement or job that allowed me to work one on one with tribal nations.  Instead, this search challenged me to find these connections in my current work and life.

At first glance this can seem completely unrelated to my placement, creating a climate change lens to a watershed scale wetland-planning project.  In all honesty, it took some time for me to realize the connection.  Planning for a changing environment can be a overwhelming.  What are we conserving?  What is resilient?  What models can we trust?  This, thankfully, is beginning to transform into a more positive energy. Climate change is an interwoven piece of the puzzle to sustainability, tackling one without the other will likely lead to little success.  Considering seven generations can help to understand the complexities of our changing environment.  That being said, everyone's environmental ethic is at a different place and understanding boundaries while weaving in these important lessons is crucial.