Introduction to Native Studies Definitions and Key Terms

Aboriginal An individual who can trace their origins back to the original inhabitants of a region or country. Synonyms – Indigenous, First Nations (Canada), Metis (Canada), Inuit (Canada) Avoid –Indians, Eskimos

Band A band society is the simplest form of human society Generally consists of a small kin group, no larger than an extended family or clan There is no political structure and leadership is situational (changes) Example – Dobe of Southern Kalahari In Canada, “Band” also refers to the basic unit of First Nations government

Tribe Larger than bands, usually numbering from a few hundred to a few thousand members. Note – this term can sometimes be considered insulting. It is still used in the USA, but only in some parts of Canada.

Culture Culture is not a thing, it is a dynamic, fluid process that is changing all the time. Culture is learned and transmitted. It is a shared system that encompasses all the knowledge, beliefs, art, and customs of a society. Culture can be said to provide a ‘lens’ or ‘screen’ through which we interpret and respond to the world. (World View) Culture is shared, but not perfectly distributed among any given population. Example – Not all Native Americans are alike, just like not all Germans are alike.

Culture What are the elements of culture? How many can you think of?

Cultural Stereotyping Cultural Bias Interpreting and judging things in terms of one’s own culture. Cultural Stereotyping The tendency to see individuals and societies in simple, superficial and often negative ways.

Ethnocentrism The belief that your culture’s way of doing things is the only or the best way. Anthropologists believe that before one can pronounce moral judgement on other customs, one must fully understand the context in which these customs operate. This includes customs practiced in other societies such as cannibalism, domestic violence, ritual circumcision.

Cultural Relativity Coined by Franz Boas Observers must suspend their ethnocentrism to understand other cultures on their own terms. Culture has to be evaluated in terms of its own values, not according to the values of another culture. There is no culture that is better or worse than another, they are just products of a ‘unique history’. He called for the suspension of judgement, which is very difficult to do. He had to rethink his definition after the Holocaust

Emic Perspective Etic Perspective A cultural insider’s view of how things are. Etic Perspective A cultural outsider’s view of how things are.

Social Evolution Lewis Henry Morgan was a pioneering social anthropologist in the 19th century After doing fieldwork with Native Americans, he put forth a model of social and cultural evolution that had three stages: Savagery (Fire, Bow, Pottery, Promiscuous Sex) Barbarianism (Agriculture, Domestication, Metalwork, Polygamous – Multiple Spouses) Civilization (Development of Writing and Advanced Technologies, Monogamous)

Social Evolution (continued) Evolutionary theory suggested change through time; a ladder to success that rose from the primitive to the civilized Connected to this was the belief that advanced societies had an obligation to assist the backward, to “civilize the savage” This made the theory a convenient justification for colonialism

“We happen to be the best people in the world” Cecil Rhodes, referring to the British Empire during the Victorian Era). Rhodes was ardent believer in British colonialism, Rhodes was the founder of the southern African territory of Rhodesia.

There has never been anything so great in the world’s history as the British Empire. George Nathanial Curzon, the 11th Viceroy of India (during the rule of Great Britain in the Indian subcontinent).

Worldviews What is a worldview? The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group. Examples of Worldviews: Religious (e.g. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, etc.) Individual cultural groups (e.g. specific indigenous tribes) Scientific (e.g. Big Bang Theory, Evolution)

WORLD VIEW PILLARS How one perceives time and space What is our purpose in life? WORLD VIEW PILLARS What happens after life? Where did we come from? The values and beliefs of an individual

Indigenous World View Western World View Respect for elders based on their compassion and inner wisdom Respect for others is based on material achievement Humans have responsibility for maintaining harmonious relationships with the natural world Humans exercise dominion over nature to use it for personal and economic gain Need for reciprocity (giving back) between human and natural worlds. Resources are viewed as gifts Natural resources are available for human exploitation. Nature is honoured routinely through daily spiritual practice Spiritual practices are sporadic and set apart from daily life Wisdom and ethics are derived from direct experience with the natural world Human reason is more important than the natural world and can produce insights independently Universe is viewed holistically, where everything works together Universe is compartmentalized into separate units Time is circular with natural cycles that sustain all life Time is a linear chronology of human progress Nature will always possess unfathomable mysteries Nature is decipherable to the rational human mind