Indigenomics

The document introduces Indigenomics as a model for economic development that centres Indigenous rights, knowledge, and stewardship. It argues that a successful low-carbon transition in Canada requires economic reconciliation and the integration of Indigenous worldviews, which are described as the original 'green' and 'circular' economies. The author highlights several Indigenous-led initiatives, including the Great Bear Forest Carbon Project and the Indigenous Guardians Program, as evidence of leadership in climate action and environmental justice.

• Indigenomics is defined as a modern business practice based on ancient Indigenous principles, serving as a "conscious claim to, and the creation of, space for the advancement of today’s emerging Indigenous economy." Unlike Western economies focused on monetary transactions, the Indigenous economy is rooted in relationship and represents the "original sharing economy, the original green economy, regenerative economy, collaborative economy, circular economy, impact economy, and the original gift economy."
• Indigenous knowledge systems and rights are presented as essential for climate justice and effective climate responses. Indigenous Peoples are described as "stewards of critical ecosystems that store vast amounts of carbon" and are uniquely positioned to respond to climate impacts due to their "deeply spiritual, cultural, social, and economic connections" with the environment.
• The document identifies six Indigenous-led initiatives demonstrating climate leadership: Indigenous Climate Action (decolonizing climate policy), Coastal First Nations (ecosystem-based management), Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (such as the Tla o qui aht Nations Tribal Park), the Indigenous Guardians Program (nature conservation), the RELAW program (Indigenous legal principles), and the Great Bear Forest Carbon Project, which is described as the "world’s largest forest carbon initiative."
• The author asserts that a low-carbon transition strategy is impossible without "economic reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples," which involves ensuring communities have access to the capital and resources necessary to capture opportunities in clean energy and climate action.

APA

Hilton, C. A. (2021). Indigenomics. Canadian Climate Institute. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/indigenomics/

Chicago

Hilton, Carol Anne. Indigenomics. Canadian Climate Institute, 2021. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/indigenomics/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Hilton |first1=Carol Anne |title=Indigenomics |publisher=Canadian Climate Institute |date=14 October 2021 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/indigenomics/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{hilton2021indigenomics, author = {Hilton, Carol Anne}, title = {{Indigenomics}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/indigenomics/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }