Exploring the imaginaries of inclusive development in indigenous communities: A focus on self-determination

Among many Indigenous communities, understandings of development are informed by experiences with outside actors, such as governments, NGOs, and corporations, that often prioritise external values over local aspirations. This imposition of external ideas and practices reinforces global power structures, marginalises Indigenous epistemologies, and constrains self-determination. Despite decades of indoctrination into the Eurocentric ways of life, Indigenous people continue to sustain different perspectives on development that diverge from Western ideologies. These perspectives challenge the traditional top-down development models and emphasise the importance of Indigenous knowledge in reimagining development processes and outcomes. Grounded in Sen's (1999) theory of freedom and capability expansion, this qualitative study examines four Indigenous communities in the Rupununi region of Guyana to explore how traditional development approaches can be reshaped to advance self-determination. The findings reveal that while Indigenous communities are eager to influence development processes, they remain systematically excluded. The evidence demonstrates a complex tension between self-determination and externally driven development practices, one that can be removed by legitimising communities to actively participate in and lead the design and implementation of development initiatives. The paper provides an empirical foundation for policy formulation of wellbeing-enhancing strategies through inclusion and self-determination within Indigenous communities.