Reflecting on the Fundamentals
Some ideas I stand for
It does not seem appropriate to begin without explaining beforehand some fundamental aspects of my understanding about Indigenous Peoples. It is also necessary to highlight that as a non-Indigenous person, I am writing about a culture outside my own. While embracing critical lenses, I acknowledge my limitations and privileges and make an effort to broaden my viewpoints to avoid cultural appropriation.
This introductory article emphasizes the importance of reflecting on Indigenous Peoples through a holistic lens. It is crucial to consider multidimensional ways to learn about diverse and inseparable aspects like knowledge, language, relationship with nature, rights, and culture. By doing so, Indigenous Peoples’ lives and experiences are being recognized in their diversity and not being narrowed by the settler’s worldview.
Sometimes it makes sense to insist on the matter
When European settlers arrived in what they called the Mundus Novus, and more specifically in Turtle Island, it was already inhabited from North to South and from East to West.
In some regions there was a high population density, with peoples living in cities, with very complex social organizations. In other regions, rarefied groups lived permanently moving from one place to another, practicing hunting, fishing, and other activities, maintaining a symbiotic relationship with nature.
The importance of fostering diversity
Naturally and with all certainty, there were an endless plurality of ways of life, traditions, and worldviews among those extremes.
It is precisely in this context that the Indigenous Peoples in Canada were thriving. It is essential to not generalize linguistic, cultural and historical aspects. In my understanding, a simplified uniformity leads to a disproportionate anachronism.
We still know little about the complexity of the human being
Human beings are profoundly complex. The complexity is higher when considering living in a community, small or large. Considering a broader view of the subject, it is also relevant to mention that there are different perspectives to approach it.
Possibilities of approaching the human being
As an extremely complex entity, the human being must be examined through multiple lenses. Among others, political, economic, social, cultural, religious perspectives must be considered.
These approaches are useful tools for understanding people and communities. However, when it comes to reflecting about Indigenous Peoples, they are insufficient.
The objective here is not to dive into each one of these approaches. But to point up that they fall short in doing justice to reflecting about Indigenous Peoples without taking into account their perceptions of the human-nature intrinsic connections.
Human being and ecology
Another approach deserves special mention: environmental or ecological.
In order to study and to understand the Indigenous Peoples in the Americas, it is necessary to establish a deep connection between Indigenous Peoples and nature. Or, in other words, between communities and the environment.
Not only because of the intrinsic relationship that has always existed between these two realities, but, fundamentally, for taking into consideration the results arising from this umbilical relationship on the individual and on communities in general.
A meaningful reconciliation
Despite the settlers’ devastating actions over the centuries, Indigenous Peoples have persevered throughout the American continent. As any other, they are entitled to rights. Indigenous Peoples must be respected in all their aspects.
A long way ahead
Concluding my reflections, I emphasize the points briefly commented above:
1. That the study of Indigenous Peoples in Canada gains depth and broader understanding, if carried out in a broader context, including the plurality of Peoples.
2. That there is a network of similarities and differences that must be examined.
3. That there are multiple approaches to learn about these societies due to the complexity inherent to human nature.
4. That the study of Indigenous Peoples is not restricted to yesterday and today; but mainly to tomorrow.
5. That there is a need to incorporate Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives and contributions into our worldview.
References:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/indigenous-peoples/
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-rights
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/turtle-island
