So what does the Truth and Reconciliation Process in Australia and the land claim issues facing Canada's Aboriginal Community have to do with Generating Social Capital?  It has to do with the process in which we address some of the underlying issues facing these communities and those in which they are situated.  In essence, it is a new way at looking at an old problem.  In a previous post I talked about "What do We Have in Common?"  As I prepare for the 4 R's Conference in Sydney, Australia later this fall I have been asking myself this very question.  Can we learn from our mistakes, if so, what should we learn?

Here is what I put forward - This is not an issue about right and wrong, fair or unjust, it is a matter of what kind of society (whether in Canada or Australia) are we wanting to leave for our children and grandchildren?  I had lunch today with a lawyer who represents the government in Aboriginal land claim issues.  He said (and I am paraphrasing), we have created a culture of greed and put a value on philanthropic activities thereby cutting people out of the process for making change. 

Business with our Treaty 7 communities does not just have to be around land rights and geological resources, other social business ventures could be had.  If we can put aside our biases and prejudices for a moment there is an untapped intellectual marketplace available to us.  Of course, taking the time to learn the cultural nuances and not limiting ourselves to what we believe to be true is critical.  Think of the ripple effect we could generate by investing the time (and yes, it would be a significant investment on BOTH sides) into doing business with each other - education, job skill training, effective mentorship within a cultural setting that honours certain labour skills leads to the building and strengthening of rural communities that are struggling under the weight of limited resources.  By integrating Traditional Wisdom practices with new concepts of Adaptive Philanthropy and Social Capital we can, as a community, change the face of how business is done on a local level and national level.  Of course change is difficult, and it will take time, it just takes that one company who will risk something and the one potential employee who will participate in that risk to get the ball rolling.  If we all provide our collective intelligence on this, who knows how fast this can move forward.

Continuing in the vein of business and philanthropy - the Calgary Business Hall of Fame will be holding its annual event on November 5^th.  This event is hosted by Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta will be honouring three people who have been instrumental leaders in Calgary's business community.  These three people are also leaders in our philanthropic sector.  Ed Galvin (posthumously) Jim Palmer, and Don Taylor are this year's laureates. Examples of their commitment to community can be seen in their business practices, but also in their familial engagements.  For those of you who are looking for how generating social capital can be done, check these guys out!  For more information on this event please visit their website.