Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table

by Carol Anne Hilton

Igniting the $100 billion Indigenous economy

It is time. It is time to increase the visibility, role, and responsibility of the emerging modern Indigenous economy and the people involved. This is the foundation for economic reconciliation. This is Indigenomics.

Indigenomics lays out the tenets of the emerging Indigenous economy, built around relationships, multigenerational stewardship of resources, and care for all. Highlights

The ongoing power shift and rise of the modern Indigenous economyVoices of leading Indigenous business leadersThe unfolding story in the law courts that is testing Canada's relationship with Indigenous peoplesExposure of the false media narrative of Indigenous dependencyA new narrative, rooted in the reality on the ground, that Indigenous peoples are economic powerhousesOn the ground examples of the emerging Indigenous economy.Indigenomics calls for a new model of development, one that advances Indigenous self-determination, collective well-being, and reconciliation. This is vital reading for business leaders and entrepreneurs, Indigenous organizations and nations, governments and policymakers, and economists.

AWARDS

WINNER | 2022 First Nations Community Reads AwardsSILVER | 2022 Nautilus Book Awards - World Cultures' Transformational Growth & DevelopmentSHORTLISTED | 2021 Donner PrizeACCESSIBLITY NOTES

This publication meets the EPUB Accessibility requirements and it also meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG-AA). It is screen-reader friendly and is accessible to persons with disabilities. This book contains various accessibility features such as alternative texts for images, table of contents, landmarks, reading order, page list, Structural Navigation, and semantic structure. Blank pages have been removed from this EPUB.

Genres: Indigenous, Nonfiction, Economics, Politics, Business, Audiobook, Philosophy

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2021

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

An intriguing concept compromised by the absence of actionable policy suggestions, a lack of engagement with current economic practice, and excessively platitudinous writing reminiscent of undergrad-speak. It's too bad that the interviews with indigenous business leaders were not included in full, as the short excerpts that were included often included tantalizing hints of a good idea. Hopefully a similarly themed book emerges in coming years with a greater emphasis on policy.

2/5

[Ryan Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book looking to get a deeper understanding of the economic footprint of Indigenous peoples and potential opportunities to improve my own view on how to live on this land. Carol Anne Hilton did a phenomenal job laying this out, especially the chapter that outlined in detail the variety of differing world views from Indigenous peoples to settlers like myself.

To anyone looking to learn about the root causes of Indigenous economic disparity as well as tangible policies that not only improve, but empower Indigenous peoples, this is a great starting point.

Looking forward to the change that Carol Anne Hilton and the Indigenomics Institute influence within Canada.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a long time to finish this book and I will admit I put it down and didn’t pick it back up for awhile but that’s not because I hated it. This book taught be so much and because I this book I have so much more that I want to research. Indigenomics is a must read for everyone regardless of prior knowledge or background. This is an amazing book!

[Emily Prpic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone living in Canada needs to read this book. Truly exceptional.

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Within an Indigenous worldview, the sense of identity and responsibility are deeply intertwined.”

“The local Indigenous people posited "We are responsible" versus the response to the disaster that was based on the narrative of "Who is to blame, who doesn't have to pay, and who is not responsible" approach. These differences in worldview play out very different pathways and form very different perceptions of risk as well as conflict.”

“The mainstream worldview sees ownership as rights to the land, whereas Indigenous Peoples see ownership as responsibility.”

“Indigenous Peoples view the economy as a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, of the Earth, of the whole, extending far out into the cosmology.”

This book is a manifesto to Indigenous Economics, a brief history of the Indian Act in Canada and how Indigenous people have been excluded from the economic table and how they have been fighting for their access to land and land ownership in court in recent years and bit by bit claiming their place at this table. It is really well written and a good combination of inspiration, history, thesis and explanation.

[Shaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our globalised economy today runs on the economics of exploitation. It sees nature i.e. the earth, the plants, the animals and even the humans living on it as resources ready to be exploited, only for profits, regardless of long term consequences.

Indigenous wisdom advocates for an economic system based on principles of co-operation, collaboration and trust. Values that capitalism has largely discarded.

At the heart of indigenomics is responsibility. Responsibility towards the planet and all beings living in it, be it past, present or the future. If a companies actions pollute the river, then the damages incurred to the beings for the next few generations (ideally 7 for humans) should also be accounted for.

We cannot keep running the wheel exploitative economy for long. Its survival depends on keeping the wheel moving faster and faster, which ideally isn't possible. And therefore, a quick shift in thought and action is a need of the hour.

[Mike Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book posed some interesting points but I appreciate the focus on the relational side of economics within the system. It points to the failure of the current system but it does not spend a lot of time on discussing the proposed solutions. One concern it avoids is that with the current system failing it does not address the potential to slide backwards based on political pressure

Overall, this is an excellent book which provides a deeper insight into issues that have been present and the potential that can happen if this economic model continues to grow.

Initially, I found the questions at the end of the chapters to be off putting because I tend to like to come to work towards an interpretation initially and then go back. However, they are good to give a focus of potential discussion.

[Ipshita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol combines both the indegenous philosophy and business case strongly in this book. Whilst it most focusses on British Columbia, discussions broadly in key historical and economic developments in both Canada and globally was well covered.

The two quirks I had with this book was one it needed probably to be coauthored with an economist and bring together modern economic principles of reimagining capitalism and wellbeing economy amidst its discussion. Though well structure and easy to read, it felt like a university paper at times lacking more in depth research and backed insights.

[Darren Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only gave it three stars because I do not have the economics background to really get more out of this book. It is loaded with great information and insight but to fully benefit from this, I think I needed the proper foundation. I have science and law degrees but no formal education in business or economics. It is unfortunate that it is not more accessible to readers like me. However, even without it, the book did make me more knowledgeable about these issues.

[Susan Haas · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was some interesting information in this book but I found it to fall short of offering much in the way of a constructive road map for the economic betterment of Indigenous peoples. It became a bit confusing what the actual purpose of the book was since there didn't seem to be much in the way of concrete, implementable goals. I found "Rez Rules" by Chief Clarence Louie to be much more successful at providing such a road map, despite "Rez Rules" being meant to be an auto-biography.

[Cory St Croix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a higher rating because the message and content is important and meaningful. However, the writing itself wasn’t engaging and there was a lot of repetition. It feels that if the editor had given this book some extra love and attention it could have been condensed down to 100 pages while driving home the message more powerfully.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important read. Great book for those who want to understand more about Indigenous matters and how we can move forward with reconciliations, healing our planet and building a better future.
Gets a little repetitive near the end but worth your time.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really helpful book to understand how Canada’s economic reality has historically affected and continues to affect Indigenous nations. I appreciate the reflection questions and concrete suggestions for reconciliation.

[Jack Tobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I agree with some other reviewers that the book lacked a bit of structure and a clear objective, and that the writing was often a bit platitudinous and repetitive, I did find the book enlightening overall and effective at raising awareness of modern indigenous economic issues

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Camille Gauthier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good nonfiction touching on Indigenous self-determination, world view and reconciliation. Lots of food for thought, and I really enjoyed the reflection questions at the end of the chapters.

[Trisha Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent persepctive on Indigenous economy, how to frame the philosophical base of economic theories, and learning from Indigenous culture and wisdom to inform economic plans.

[Kevin Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important reading for all.

[Rhia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty solid on the what needs to be done but I'm craving more books that dig into the HOW.

[beast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know that... it is good to learn

Kind of dry and repetitive but I get it

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing read.

Very good Indigenous economics book.

Lots of great recommendations and analysis.

There was a lot for me to consider in this.

Would recommend it!

4.4/5