As we commemorate International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we’re reminded of one of butet manurung’s stories when she attended the #CatalystChangemakersEcosystem Program Launch four months ago in which she shared a story about how helping a local community should be followed by the right way of thinking so we can provide the right solutions.
The story starts with a hunter who lives in a forest and is accustomed to walking through the forest barefoot. The hunter’s feet had grown tough and resilient, even able to withstand thorns without injury. Then, someone gave the hunter a pair of shoes in the thought that it would help the hunter at first.
Over time, the shoes wore out, and the hunter's feet, having lost their natural toughness, became vulnerable and injured. This example highlights how the hunter became dependent on the shoes, something he didn’t need before, creating new challenges and unnecessary expenses. The initial act of kindness ended up weakening the hunter’s natural abilities and making the hunter dependent on something that wasn’t necessary before.
This story emphasizes the importance of empathy when offering help or solutions, particularly in empowering indigenous communities. Not all act of kindness, even if well-intentioned, is beneficial. All in all, it is important to remember that the best solutions come from understanding and respecting the unique needs of those we aim to help. At GIF, we uphold the importance of #localwisdom. We understand that it brings so many lessons that we can bring to our daily lives. Happy International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples!
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