Giving Compass' Take:

• Writing for Stanford Social Innovation Review, Alutiiq native Sarah L. Kastelic discusses her heritage's culture of altruism and how it can be applied to visions of the "good" within the "common good."

• Alutiiq's believe in interdependence and retaining connections to the community. How can the philanthropic sector live up to these ideals to strengthen civil society?

• Here's the adaptive challenge of restoring trust in civil society.

If a “good” is held to be common, then surely that decision must come from community. Too often the community’s role is unexamined in this regard, but the intentionality of one Native culture in defining and protecting the common good might serve as an example to us all ...

The Alutiiq worldview, like that of many other Indigenous cultures, emphasizes interdependence — out of necessity, we rely on one another. We are taught that each human being has different gifts and talents (provided by the Creator), all of which the community needs. Community members therefore have the responsibility to contribute their gifts and talents; we are bound together, and each person is indispensable.

To ensure that all of these gifts and the natural resources on which our survival depends continue to support our existence, stewardship is essential. We are responsible for ourselves, other people, and the environment around us. We cannot afford to discount or ignore the very things that will allow us to continue to exist as humans, and specifically as the unique Alutiiq people we are.

Spirituality, including faith and prayer, is integral to how we are bound together, and how we care for the relationships and resources that sustain us. Our interdependence and spirituality connect us to something larger than ourselves, give us purpose and meaning, and provide a sense of belonging, which all humans need.

Finally, it is not enough to conduct ourselves properly with regard to human and environmental relationships; we are called to continue to learn more about our language, history, ancestors, and traditional arts and skills, and to share that knowledge — to pass on what we know.

Read the full article about who defines the common good by Sarah L. Kastelic at Stanford Social Innovation Review.