A World For The Next Seven Generations
Research By: Shi Tao Zhang
The Seven Generations Principle
The Seven Generations Principle is a decision-making framework used by many Indigenous cultures, particularly the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy). It teaches that every decision we make today must honor the lessons of the past seven generations and ensure the well-being of the next seven generations.
Key Aspects of the Principle:
Intergenerational Responsibility: Decisions should benefit the long-term sustainability of the community, not just the immediate future
Holistic Thinking: This principle encourages looking at the broader impact on land, water, community, and non-human life
Ethical Stewardship: Humans are considered stewards of the Earth, with a duty to preserve its resources for future generations
Children as Key Decision-Makers
In Indigenous worldviews, children are not only the recipients of the Earth’s resources but also active contributors in protecting them. They hold inherent wisdom and have the right to participate in decision-making processes affecting their future.
“The protection of Indigenous children’s rights is not only a matter of justice but also an investment in a sustainable future for all children. Upholding these rights enriches our collective efforts to create a world fit for all children and future generations.”
Kayanerenkó: The Great Law of Peace
The Great Law of Peace (Kayanerenkó) is the foundation of Haudenosaunee governance and offers insights into collective well-being and ong-term decision-making. The law promotes peace, power, and righteousness, guiding leaders to consider how their choices will affect future generations. This principle is directly aligned with the Seven Generations framework, ensuring that each decision benefits not just today, but the next seven generations.
Under the Great Law of Peace,
governance is rooted in the collective good. Leaders are expected to act with a good mind (ka'nikonhrí), making decisions that foster harmony and balance for all.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) refers to Indigenous systems of knowledge that integrate the natural environment, culture, and spirituality. It emphasizes long-term sustainability, careful resource management, and reciprocity between humans and the Earth.
Unlike many modern approaches, TEK is not about exploiting resources but about stewardship and maintaining balance with the natural world.
Sustainable Agriculture Example:
The Haudenosaunee use the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) in agriculture. These plants grow in harmony, supporting each other’s growth and ensuring sustainable food production.
80% of the world's remaining biodiversity is located on Indigenous lands.
30% of wildfires are reduced thanks to controlled burns or rotational farming.
5% of the world’s population are comprised of Indigenous People.
1% of global climate funding are given to Indigenous communities.
People are told that they must walk softly on the earth, for the faces of the unborn generations are just below the surface of the soil.
KAYANERENKÓ:WA THE GREAT LAW OF PEACE
Indigenous International Frameworks
One of the most critical international frameworks for Indigenous rights is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Adopted in 2007, it establishes key rights for Indigenous peoples, including rights to their lands, resources, and self-determination.
Key articles related to environmental and land rights:
Article 25: Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinctive relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied lands, territories, and waters
Article 26: Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories, and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied, or used
What is the Rights-Based Approach?
A rights-based approach (RBA) emphasizes that individuals and communities possess inherent legal and moral entitlements. These rights ensure fairness, equity, and respect for all people, including their relationships with the land and natural resources.
By framing environmental protection as a human right, the rights-based approach helps integrate sustainability, intergenerational justice, and Indigenous knowledge systems into global governance. This ensures that environmental policies:
Uphold human dignity;
Focus on equitable resource distribution;
Recognize the interconnectedness of human and environmental health.
