Indigenous Wealth System

The right to wealth is too fundamental and indigenous communities too fragile to be left to the unequal bargaining strength of non-interested parties. I seek to solve the poverty that plagues indigenous people globally. Poverty is a culture. Indigenous peoples see the world differently. Their respect for nature and desire to live alongside it as opposed to owning it has thwarted their ability to generate and sustain a healthy wealth position in industrialized society. They refuse to build fences and thus they lack possessory rights over the lands they occupy. Their right to monetize was taken. 

As the world battles the woes of climate change, indigenous communities can become part of the solution. Their ancient knowledge, traditional expertise, and access to sacred resources can be leveraged as a wealth-generation opportunity. We have something valuable. Climate change cannot be an excuse for modern colonization. Fair compensation must be paid. With funding from climate initiatives, indigenous communities are uniquely positioned to capture new wealth. This can come in the form of submitting bids as community contractors to build relocation projects, sharing traditional tools, knowledge, and resources as independent contractors, or leasing space for mining and solar projects. 

But wealth generation is only part of the system that needs attention. There is a substantial cultural, knowledge, and access gap in terms of managing wealth. Centuries of lack have led to a global community far behind minimum standards regarding financial management. This project seeks to marry local wealth customs with top-tier investment management tools to build sustainable wealth plans that are familiar and executable. This will require raising local community wealth advisors and mentors who oversee the community funds as a whole and each member family. It takes a village. 

The final part of the indigenous wealth system requires reinvestment into the community. This most strongly comes in the form of raising the next generation of senior position holders. Indigenous children must attend prestigious universities to pursue advanced degrees. It behooves the community to invest in that initiative. Indigenous communities are accustomed to giving. In fact, this is commonplace. We will give everything that we have. In Fiji, we call it a "soli." In 2023, it is time we create a system for ourselves that generates wealth, manages it across time, and empowers. It is time to give to ourselves the power of the purse. 

We need: 

1. Technology to create the infrastructure for the wealth system. 

2. Contracts with governments and private companies. 

3. Relationships with donors. 

4. Research regarding the unique indigenous community and its values. 

5. Education and training for local leaders. 

6. Ongoing support and commitment to raising up a global community fighting for an opportunity to stand on their own. A community that has taken many steps back so that others can enjoy the benefits of industrialization. This project seeks to bring them back to par value. 

If done well, this solution will drastically reduce and seek to eliminate poverty among indigenous communities worldwide. This system seeks to provide long-term wealth to the original inhabitants of this land through strategic funding, prudent management, and necessary re-investment. The priority is high and the time is appropriate. 

Originally, as a child of the Pacific, I was seeking solutions for the indigenous communities of the Pacific. However, as I've traveled and met with Native American tribes across the United States and as co-president of the Native American Law Students Association at Harvard Law School, I see a similar need. In talking with indigenous people across the world, poverty is the chain that binds. It must be broken. The Indigenous Wealth System will support indigenous communities across the globe. 

I have an extensive background in wealth management and am currently a law student at Harvard Law School. I am a child of the Fiji Islands who has been afforded a special opportunity to help my community. Because the need to raise indigenous people out of poverty is so pervasive, I am committed to this pressing project.

This is a big task and I need help. Monetary support, technology, and partnership are greatly appreciated.

This project can begin with indigenous groups in the Pacific such as Hawaii, of which I am closely tied having grown up and graduated from Waianae High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. 

The project may also serve Native American tribes of which I am the co-president of the Native American Law Student Association at Harvard Law School. 

This project ultimatley seeks to empower indigenous groups globally, I am happy to begin with any indigenous community. 

This program seeks to create a wealth system that can be relatable and replicated among indigenous peoples. It is innovative in the time that it is available. Climate change presents an opportunity for wealth for indigenous people. Without a proper system to monetize, manage, and reinvest, the opportunity will not materialize. This project is urgent more than innovative. 

Impact goals include setting up the appropriate legal framework and establishing the first community project. Key successes hinge on funding and partnership, especially in the climate context. Deliverables will be measured against poverty reduction metrics in the community.

Poverty Reduction metrics 

Community Voices

I believe that money affords opportunity, and the lack of money destroys community. I seek to restore indigenous communities by creating access to wealth and developing sustainable systems to grow it. This will allow for reinvestment into the community achieving an uplift of indigenous standards of living globally. An indigenous wealth ecosystem is long overdue. 

The core technology that will drive this solution is a database that connects projects and people. Each community may have its own dashboard of wealth flow from generation to management to reinvestment with links to key partners and funds. 

All voices, all people, and all solutions are welcome and appreciated. We believe in the power of togetherness. 

I will use all of the above-mentioned capital streams as well as a sound investment strategy for capital raised pending project disbursement. 

I am at the beginning of the project but plan to engage with donors in Silicon Valley over the summer.