Aboriginal Peoples’ Core Values and Worldviews “Who are the diverse Aboriginal people who have contributed to the building of the country we now call Canada?”

Definitions Culture: A way of life or a way of being shared by a group of people; culture includes the knowledge, experiences, and values a group shares and that shape the way its members see the world. Pluralistic Society: A society made up of many different groups of people, each with its own unique identities, ideas, perspectives, and culture; developing a sense of respect for all cultures.

Culture Culture is the way of life or a way of being that is shared by a group of people. Canada is a pluralistic society. We are a society made up of many groups of people each with a unique identities, ideas, cultures and ways of seeing the world. Pluralism means we respect and value the individual and collective opinions and identities of all people.

Brainstorm What are some of the different cultures we see and appreciate in our school, community and country? 4

First Nations The First Nations who lived in Canada before it became the country we know today, formed a pluralistic society of their own. Each group had its own ideas, worldview, language, spiritual beliefs, government and way of life. 5

Definitions Natural World: The land, water, mountains, forests, plants, wildlife, and climate. Core Values: An important idea or belief about how people should live. Worldview: A way of looking at the world that reflects one’s core values. Indigenous People: The original inhabitants of a given area.

Definitions Traditional Teachings: A unique belief of the First Nations passed down orally from generation to generation that explains something. Example: how the earth was created or how people came to exist. Elder: A respected member of an Aboriginal community who uses Traditional Teachings, experience and wisdom to help people in his or her community make good decisions.

Think back: They are an example of what type of society? Values and Viewpoints The First Nations in North America are diverse peoples. Each group has its own ideas, world view, language, spiritual beliefs, government and way of life. Think back: They are an example of what type of society? 8

Think back: They are an example of what type of society? Values and Viewpoints The First Nations in North America are diverse peoples. Each group has its own ideas, world view, language, spiritual beliefs, government and way of life. Think back: They are an example of what type of society? A pluralistic society 9

Diversity First Nations peoples have lived in all parts of the land we now call Canada. Each First Nation developed a unique culture suited to its surroundings in the natural world. The land, water, mountains, forests, plants, wildlife, and climate all played an important role in developing cultures as diverse as the Canadian landscape. 10

World Views Although there were many unique First Nations cultures, these diverse peoples also shared some core values. Combined individual and core values make up a worldview. 11

World Views Many First Nations peoples (including the Mi’kmaq, Anishinabe and Haudenosaunee) shared values relating to their relationships with the Creator, the natural world, other people and themselves. For example, they believed the following: 12

World Views Core Values People are not separate from nature or from the non-living world. Everything on earth is connected to everything else. The wisdom and experience of the Elders is highly valued. Elders deserve the respect of all members of the community. A spiritual world exists. It plays a very important role in all the happens on earth. People must live in harmony with each other and in balance with nature. 13

Indigenous Peoples First Nations peoples are indigenous to North America. This means that they are the original people of this land. First Nations beliefs are often passed from generation to generation through traditional teachings. These teachings also help explain the relationships among the plants, animals, land, people and the spirit world. 14

Agnes Semaganis - Elder - Poundmaker First Nation Keepers of Knowledge Traditional teachings have been passed down orally from generation to generation by Elders. Elders have traditionally been the most respected members of Aboriginal communities. They use their experience and wisdom to help people in their communities make good decisions and keep their cultures alive! Agnes Semaganis - Elder - Poundmaker First Nation 15

Agnes Semaganis - Elder - Poundmaker First Nation Keepers of Knowledge What types of things do you think may have been passed down because of Elders? Agnes Semaganis - Elder - Poundmaker First Nation 16

Agnes Semaganis - Elder - Poundmaker First Nation Keepers of Knowledge What types of things do you think may have been passed down because of Elders? Language Traditions Ceremonies Laws Skills Histories Agnes Semaganis - Elder - Poundmaker First Nation 17

Stories One way Elders taught youngsters morals and values was by telling stories. These stories had two main purposes: To teach To entertain 18

Definitions Oral Culture: A way of life in which language, teachings, and traditional stories are memorized and passed down orally from one generation to the next.

Oral and Written Histories 20

Oral and Written Histories Traditionally, young First Nations people learned about the First Nations’ ways of life and events that took place in the past by listening. Histories, place names, family trees, laws, and events were memorized and passed orally from one generation to the next. It did not need to be written down. In this way, the First Nations developed a rich oral culture. 21

Oral and Written Histories First Nations peoples had ways of making sure they remembered everything correctly: One method was to repeat the information often, so that they would not forget. Another method was to make visual reminders. Wampum belt, 1682 Wampum belts used by the Haudenosaunee. Sea shells were woven into symbols and designs. A knowledgeable person would look at the symbols “read” the belt. 22

Definitions Ethnocentric: A viewpoint that judges other global cultures and ideas according to personal values and standards; believing one’s own ethnic group is superior. Clan: A small village of extended families who lived together, co-operated, and shared resources. Government: The way people organize themselves to choose their leaders and make decisions. Decision-Making by Consensus: A debate in which people discuss an issue until they can all agree on one outcome. 23