Identifying Constructs of a Resilient Community of Indigenous People Towards Developing Models for Cultural Preservation

Abstract

In the 938 hectares hinterland of northern Iloilo resides the emerging Indigenous people known as Nagpana Ati community. Mission works from religious organizations pioneered the assimilation of the mainstream values which later was supplanted by the community development programs. With government and non-government organizations which significantly changed the behavior of the Ati people cultural preservation became complex and more challenging as their ways of life were considerably altered. Thus, this study aimed to understand the nature of Ati people in order to develop a construct model on cultural preservation thereby establishing resilient IP (Indigenous Peoples) communities. This investigation centered on the life of Ati people as affected by socioeconomic factors employed a quality research design and grounded theory as its main methodology. Immersion, focus group discussion and in-depth case study were the different methods employed. Moreover, this study aimed at providing guidelines to create a holistic extension program. The study revealed that; due to interference of the dominant culture, Ati people diverted from tribal (community) cohesiveness to being clannish, family oriented, and/or self-centered. The adoption of the Hiligaynon dialect and association with outsiders put them on the inferior side and triggered the desire to diffuse their traditional practices thus putting aside even the organic knowledge that are essential to sustainable development.