1. World View and the Decision Making Process Aboriginal World View Aboriginal World View Traditional Aboriginal societies within North America were founded upon an holistic and spiritually-based world view known as the “Sacred Circle” Traditional Aboriginal societies within North America were founded upon an holistic and spiritually-based world view known as the “Sacred Circle” Social organizations within Aboriginal socities reflect a basic interrelatedness with each other Social organizations within Aboriginal socities reflect a basic interrelatedness with each other

2. Indigenous cultures developed political organizations based on equality and harmony Indigenous cultures developed political organizations based on equality and harmony Power, authority, and decision making were decentralized Power, authority, and decision making were decentralized The natural autonomy of the individual and the sovereignty of the group were upheld as social absolutes The natural autonomy of the individual and the sovereignty of the group were upheld as social absolutes

3. European World View European World View European societies tend toward a linear, analytical, and secular world view. European societies tend toward a linear, analytical, and secular world view. Eurocentric cultures developed political organizations based on patriarchy and competition Eurocentric cultures developed political organizations based on patriarchy and competition Power and decision making were centralized Power and decision making were centralized The rights and autonomy of the individual was deemed to be of paramount value The rights and autonomy of the individual was deemed to be of paramount value

4. Paradigms Paradigms are patterns of ideas, beliefs, and values which are used to understand reality Paradigms are patterns of ideas, beliefs, and values which are used to understand reality Paradigms help humans understand certain aspects of reality more clearly and limit the perception and understanding of other aspects of reality Paradigms help humans understand certain aspects of reality more clearly and limit the perception and understanding of other aspects of reality

5. Patriarchal Paradigm Patriarchal Paradigm Involves the belief that there should be a clear distinction between the rulers and the ruled with power flowing from the top of the social hierarchy to the bottom of the hierarchy Involves the belief that there should be a clear distinction between the rulers and the ruled with power flowing from the top of the social hierarchy to the bottom of the hierarchy Aboriginal Paradigm Aboriginal Paradigm Makes very little distinction between the rulers and the ruled with power moving from group to group as the need arises Makes very little distinction between the rulers and the ruled with power moving from group to group as the need arises Liberal Democratic Paradigm Liberal Democratic Paradigm Believes that power is vested in the people and is awarded to those that can best demonstrate their right to it Believes that power is vested in the people and is awarded to those that can best demonstrate their right to it