In this book I have taken the reader on a journey of “sustainable development” through the eyes of the Trio indigenous community. I have also tried to explain how researchers like myself unconsciously make assumptions on sustainability when studying such an indigenous community in development projects. And this mismatch develops organically. Researchers and practitioners traditionally lean on the definition of sustainable development put forward by the modern world: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland 1987, 41).

Local communities like the Trios see “sustainable development” quite differently. In a journey through time, they thread together events from the past and present, and from there strategically craft their own life goals for the future. Although this approach seems to have the same past- future orientation as the Brundtland definition, there is a fundamental difference. The underlying motivations make the Trio concept of development contrast that of a researcher: the Trios operate from caretaking while researchers follow a paradigm of economic growth/ exploitation. It is therefore imperative for researchers to be conscious of this divide rather than making a wrong assumption that the community wants to develop according to the (foreign) goals stipulated within the economic paradigm. Acquiring sufficient insight into the views of a community will further prevent failures in making the project a reality. It can help researchers and practitioners be aware of the assumptions they automatically make based on their Western perspective.

Promoting Sustainability under Uncertainty

This book concludes that in situations of environmental uncertainty, the community's first action is to find new solutions that fit its own life goals. It is apparent that the origin of a sustainable decision lies in matching the values a community possesses with the development project: values related to keeping to its traditions (history), its social relations and its relationship with the physical environment, and pursuing its development. Understanding these values, as well as the community's related interests, strategies and attitude, are part of the view construct, and exploring this view is crucial for initiating and promoting sustainability.