Indigenous Economic Development

Abstract

This chapter constitutes one of a number of studies of the reaction of Indigenous peoples1 to the “new global economy”: their participation in the wine-making industry. We first outline the objectives and assess the feasibility of Indigenous economic development. We then discuss two case studies of Indigenous peoples—the Metis and Inuit, an Aboriginal “First Nations” people in Canada; and a Maori collective of tribal nations comprising the members of the Wakatu Incorporation in Nelson, Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust in the Nelson/Marlborough area and the Wi Peri Trust based south of Gisborne in New Zealand. Both groups have developed wine-related businesses as key aspects of their economic development strategy. Indeed, they created the world’s first and second Indigenous-owned wineries: the Tohu Winery in New Zealand and Nk’Mip Cellars in Canada. Here, we briefly document the creation of these wineries, then describe their contribution to the economic development of the communities involved. Finally, from these case studies, we offer concluding comments about the possibilities for Indigenous economic development in general.