By Brian C. Wilson, Seven Generation Contractors, LLC
I own an Indigenous owned Commercial and Residential concrete company, serving south eastern WI. I’m also an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of WI. Our tribal philosophy is to think seven generations ahead. I founded my construction business based on this philosophy.
Forward thinking, sustainability and recycling materials in the construction industry, is no longer an option, it’s necessary. It’s our responsibility to take care of the earth for our future generations. Every construction project consumes resources, which impacts the land, and natural resources. My Indigenous teachings remind me that construction should not only serve our present needs, but also honor our responsibility to protect the earth for the next seven generations. This way of thinking calls for a deeper respect for materials, careful planning, and innovative recycling practices that reduce waste.
My elders speak of a powerful teaching in sustainability, which is reciprocity. What we take, we must give back. For contractors, this could mean planting trees to offset lumber use, restoring wetlands impacted by gravel mining, or mentoring younger builders in sustainable practices. Recycling materials is one way to give back—allowing resources to continue serving rather than being buried in a landfill. By embracing sustainability and recycling, guided by Indigenous perspectives, builders can honor the earth, conserve resources, and create projects that are not just structures, but testaments to respect, responsibility, and balance. This is the path to building not only for today, but for the next seven generations.
From an Indigenous seven generation perspective, the land is seen not only a resource but as a relative. The stones, trees, grasses, water, and soil are viewed to have spirit and value beyond their economic worth. This understanding encourages builders to approach construction thoughtfully, minimizing harm and maximizing the respectful use of what is taken. Recycling and reusing materials fit naturally into this ethic. When we choose to salvage lumber, crush and reuse concrete, or repurpose steel, we are extending the life of these materials, honoring their continued usefulness rather than discarding them.
Here are some resources to help guide you in your own efforts to conserve, and recycle for future generations:
“Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into a circular sustainability framework” (2025) This article, by RSC Publishing, discusses how projects in Indigenous communities are incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into circular economy practices, including waste reduction, material reuse, and sustainable local materials. It shows how TEK is not just a cultural relic, but a living resource in designing sustainable infrastructure.
“Sustainability of Indigenous Solid Waste Management Practices in Rural Communities of South Africa” (2024) This study by MDPI evaluates how Indigenous communities manage solid waste—through recycling, composting, reuse—and how those practices align with environmental, economic, and social sustainability criteria. The authors use the Analytic Hierarchy Process to show that environmental sustainability (especially via composting and reuse) is often prioritized in Indigenous practices. MDPI
“Indigenous traditional knowledge for cleaner waste management” (2024) This article by ScienceDirect explores how Indigenous traditional knowledge (ITK) can positively influence waste-management systems, including strategies for recycling and limiting pollution. It offers global case studies (e.g. Ghana) where integrating ITK helps to design cleaner waste systems that work with local ecologies.
“A roof over our people’s heads’: the Indigenous U.S. tribe building hempcrete homes” (2024) This news report from The Guardian describes how a Native American community in Minnesota is using hempcrete (a biocomposite material made from hemp fibers and lime) in housing projects. The approach reduces carbon emissions, uses renewable plant fibers (often considered a “waste” byproduct), and strengthens Indigenous control over building practices. It is a concrete example of how Indigenous-led construction can incorporate sustainable, low-impact materials in practice.
