ENTERPRISE IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES OF CANADA

Abstract

The northern, predominantly native, communities of Canada's Northwest Territories can provide an interesting comparison for Malaysia's indigenous population; the native peoples' needs and value systems may be largely invisible in broader national development policy; their traditional lifestyles and economies continue to exist; they may live in relatively resource‐rich areas, sought for exploitation by outside interests; they are also changing under the influence of global culture and economy. A comparison can also be drawn with Cape Breton communities, as described during the Sydney workshop; individuals’ economic strategies are characterized by part‐time and seasonal wage work, diversified/multiple sources of household income, and informal economic exchange, yet people try hard to stay in their communities, rather than leave. Quality of life, family and community ties are more important than increased cash incomes. As Denis Goulet noted in the opening session of our workshop, people need “rich being” not just more things; biological survival depends as much on cultural development as on economic development.

Citation

Myers, H. (1999), "ENTERPRISE IN NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES OF CANADA", Humanomics, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 184-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb018832