World View and the Decision Making Process

Aboriginal/European World Views A world view is a comprehensive conception or image of reality and of humanity’s relation to it. It is a distinctive way of looking at reality and creates a context for living. A specific world view is influenced by a society’s environment and experiences.

In Canada, political views find their origins in different cultural traditions each with particular value assumptions. Our prevailing beliefs and political policies are being guided by two somewhat opposing world views; European World View Aboriginal World View

European World View Eurocentric cultures base many of their assumptions on science and technology. European societies tend toward a linear, analytical, and secular world view.

European World View Eurocentric cultures developed political organizations based on patriarchy and competition. Power and decision making were centralized. The rights and autonomy of the individual was deemed to be of paramount value.

Aboriginal World View Traditional Aboriginal societies within North America were founded upon a holistic and spiritually-based world view known as the ‘Sacred Circle’. The Sacred Circle represents the belief that “Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round … The wind is its greatest powers whirls … The sun comes forth and goes down again is a circle … Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing … The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves” (Black Elk, Oglala Sioux)

Aboriginal World View Social Organizations within Aboriginal societies reflect a basic interrelatedness with each other. – Indigenous cultures developed political organizations based on equality and harmony. – Power, authority, and decision making were decentralized. – The natural autonomy of the individual and the sovereignty of the group were upheld as societal absolutes. » Complete the World View Activity

Traditional Aboriginal Society Traditional Aboriginal social contracts decentralize power so that no single individual or small group of individuals could claim power and authority over the whole group. There was very little distinction between the rulers and the ruled with power moving from group to group as the need arises.

Traditional Aboriginal Society Political decision making within some traditional Aboriginal societies operated upon a group-consensus model, with political leaders action as facilitators. In most cases societal checks and balances were developed and placed upon political leaders to ensure that group cohesiveness and survival would be maintained.

Traditional Aboriginal Society Some cultures followed a tradition of hereditary leadership, while others tended toward choosing leaders through the practice of the acclamation of proven and trustworthy ‘people-centred’ individuals from the society at large.

Traditional Aboriginal Society Individuals were allowed the freedom to ignore group decisions provided the individuals did nothing to cause harm to group safety and survival. Women played a fundamental role as political ‘power-brokers’ and acted to ensure the societal values of autonomy for the individual and collaboration for the group were upheld within the government.