To think of development in opposition to culture and tradition is wrong thinking. But when we think of culture and tradition, we think of the past. And when we think of development we think of the present, the future. We think of the new. And less .
Development is clean air, clean water, clean earth.
Vibrant cultures and traditions. When our chief or a big man decides who to lease our land to, who to sell our forests and fishing rights to, what percentage of the profits to keep or share. When we make money by singing and dancing at hotels, carving and weaving or painting things for the market. When our parents and teachers spoil the rod not us, when they work so hard that they forget why they re working. When our fathers drink kava til two in the morning and our mothers wake up to make sure there s still a warm dinner.