Historically, indigenous people lived in a sustainable economy, making a living from the land in a way that did not destroy the ecosystem. Today, the market economy is driven by the demands of consumers, and supplying their demands is taking a toll on the environment. This article discusses the Menominee tribe in northeastern Wisconsin, and the ways in which the Menominee have become a model to the Maya and others on how to live harmoniously with their environment. The College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute (Keshena, Wisconsin) bases its mission and research upon the experiences of the Menominee to balance preservation of their forest with the needs of their people, the pressures of modern society, politics, and technology. The Menominee have given hope to the indigenous people of Central America for recovery of their languages, culture, and traditions, as well as their land and their sovereign powers.