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Recommendations and Future Perspectives
The MEICS model developed and applied among three indigenous rural locations
in Baja California, Mexico proved to be a useful tool for the evaluation of sustainability, since the values of the MEICS index obtained are relevant information on
four indicators of sustainability: economic, ecological, social, and political aspects.
Our results indicated that, according to the interviewees, the Pa Ipai community has
the highest values towards sustainability, while Kumiai is on average and, finally,
the community of Cucapá with the lowest values and, therefore, far from achieving
sustainability. It should be mentioned that perceptions, knowledge, and strategies of
local social actors should be preponderant in the diagnoses (Soares and Garcia
2014). Therefore, for the particular case of the indigenous communities, native to
Baja California, the complex of social and economic problems that arise can be
attenuated if project proposals emanate from the same community, respecting the
traditional social organization and family organization during their implementation
(Wilken 1998).
In the economic sub-index, the Pa Ipai could request the advice of civil organizations that can teach farming methods and animal husbandry for self-subsistence
(only during the spring-summer season and on a small scale using resistant species).
In relation to the social sub-index, it is suggested that the community request advice
from academics or civil organizations to plan the growth of their community in a
systematic way and with the least impact on their natural resources. The Kumiai are
half way of reaching sustainability, to become closer to that goal, they could improve
their economic sub-index value by giving impetus to the community’s ecotourism
center, since this form of tourism sensitizes visitors and privileges sustainability,
conservation, and environment appreciation (both natural and cultural) (Toledo and
Ortiz 2014). Ecotourism is also a viable alternative to increase indigenous income
in a culturally sustainable way in San Antonio Necua (Bringas and González 2004),
where it would improve not only the value of the economic sub-index, but also of
the social sub-index by means of contributing to greater cohesion and community
participation, and to heighten the value of their cultural traditions and customs. To
fulfill the ideal value of the political sub-index by the Kumiai community, it could
be useful if they link their political demands to international networks. There is successful networking among indigenous peoples in the world that provide legal advice
and help with political negotiations (Hall and Fenelon 2004).
The community of Cucapa achieved improvements in sustainability. To enhance
their sustainability in the social dimension, the Cucapá could seek to rely on institutional programs that allow them to design strategies to improve their nutrition and
could help them to achieve a better general health. A result of intercultural influences is malnutrition as demonstrated in other countries with indigenous people
(Kuhnlein and Receveur 1996; Smith and Smith 1999). Intercultural food and
cooking is an aim to develop within the indigenous communities of Baja California.
In addition, for the economic dimension, it is suggested that the Cucapá seek advice
to develop small-scale self-subsistence economy strategies, activities that else12 Sustainability Assessment in Indigenous Communities: A Tool for Future…
Recommendations and Future Perspectives
The MEICS model developed and applied among three indigenous rural locations
in Baja California, Mexico proved to be a useful tool for the evaluation of sustainability, since the values of the MEICS index obtained are relevant information on
four indicators of sustainability: economic, ecological, social, and political aspects.
Our results indicated that, according to the interviewees, the Pa Ipai community has
the highest values towards sustainability, while Kumiai is on average and, finally,
the community of Cucapá with the lowest values and, therefore, far from achieving
sustainability. It should be mentioned that perceptions, knowledge, and strategies of
local social actors should be preponderant in the diagnoses (Soares and Garcia
2014). Therefore, for the particular case of the indigenous communities, native to
Baja California, the complex of social and economic problems that arise can be
attenuated if project proposals emanate from the same community, respecting the
traditional social organization and family organization during their implementation
(Wilken 1998).
In the economic sub-index, the Pa Ipai could request the advice of civil organizations that can teach farming methods and animal husbandry for self-subsistence
(only during the spring-summer season and on a small scale using resistant species).
In relation to the social sub-index, it is suggested that the community request advice
from academics or civil organizations to plan the growth of their community in a
systematic way and with the least impact on their natural resources. The Kumiai are
half way of reaching sustainability, to become closer to that goal, they could improve
their economic sub-index value by giving impetus to the community’s ecotourism
center, since this form of tourism sensitizes visitors and privileges sustainability,
conservation, and environment appreciation (both natural and cultural) (Toledo and
Ortiz 2014). Ecotourism is also a viable alternative to increase indigenous income
in a culturally sustainable way in San Antonio Necua (Bringas and González 2004),
where it would improve not only the value of the economic sub-index, but also of
the social sub-index by means of contributing to greater cohesion and community
participation, and to heighten the value of their cultural traditions and customs. To
fulfill the ideal value of the political sub-index by the Kumiai community, it could
be useful if they link their political demands to international networks. There is successful networking among indigenous peoples in the world that provide legal advice
and help with political negotiations (Hall and Fenelon 2004).
The community of Cucapa achieved improvements in sustainability. To enhance
their sustainability in the social dimension, the Cucapá could seek to rely on institutional programs that allow them to design strategies to improve their nutrition and
could help them to achieve a better general health. A result of intercultural influences is malnutrition as demonstrated in other countries with indigenous people
(Kuhnlein and Receveur 1996; Smith and Smith 1999). Intercultural food and
cooking is an aim to develop within the indigenous communities of Baja California.
In addition, for the economic dimension, it is suggested that the Cucapá seek advice
to develop small-scale self-subsistence economy strategies, activities that else12 Sustainability Assessment in Indigenous Communities: A Tool for Future…