Lecture 7 Indigenous Philosophies Flashcards
What does ‘Indigenous’ mean according to the UN?
Indigenous people are inheritors of unique cultures with distinct social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics, maintaining strong ties to land, language, and traditions.
How were Indigenous lifeways disrupted by colonialism?
Colonialism disrupted lifeways through displacement, genocide, language erasure, and destruction of governance structures.
What are the main types of violence caused by colonialism?
Colonialism caused genocide, epistemicide (destruction of knowledge systems), and ecocide (environmental destruction).
What is epistemicide?
Epistemicide is the systematic destruction of Indigenous knowledge systems, including the erasure of languages and imposition of Eurocentric education (e.g., Indian boarding schools with slogans like ‘Let all that is Indian within you die’).
What is ecocide?
Ecocide refers to the destruction of ecological systems integral to Indigenous ways of life, such as the near-extinction of bison in North America.
How do Indigenous people contribute to biodiversity preservation?
Although forming only 5% of the global population, Indigenous communities protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity by maintaining sustainable practices and preserving ecosystems.
Why is the climate crisis considered a colonial crisis?
The climate crisis stems from colonial systems that exploit resources unsustainably, linking it to a need for climate justice. Indigenous activists like Chautuileo Tranamil advocate for recognizing the colonial roots of environmental destruction.
What is the difference between natural law and industrial views on nature?
Natural law emphasizes nature governing institutions, contrasting with industrial systems that prioritize human domination over nature (e.g., the Aluna philosophy that humans are part of a larger whole).
How do Indigenous worldviews perceive time?
Indigenous philosophies view time as cyclical, focusing on sustainability and learning from the past, unlike the linear, progress-oriented industrial perspective (e.g., Aluna wisdom stating each new generation knows less).
What does reciprocity with nature mean in Indigenous philosophies?
It means giving and taking to maintain balance, seeing humans as part of an interdependent whole, unlike the industrial idea of dominating wilderness (e.g., Potawami practices focus on balance with nature).
What is the grammar of animacy?
The grammar of animacy refers to seeing nature as alive, with spiritual relationships, as exemplified in languages like Potawami, where words like ‘wiikwegama’ animate natural features. Rights granted to rivers, such as the Whanganui River in New Zealand, also embody this philosophy.
What is conspicuous distribution?
It values what is given and shared over what is consumed or accumulated, emphasizing balance and sustainability, contrasting with capitalist accumulation.
How do Indigenous perspectives critique the extractivist model?
The extractivist model reduces life to objects for consumption, promoting dominance and hierarchy, whereas Indigenous views stress relational sustainability (e.g., Indigenous opposition to mining projects).
What are the key challenges Indigenous philosophies face today?
Challenges include marginalization of their knowledge systems, ongoing environmental degradation, and Eurocentric dominance in global policies.
Can you provide examples of Indigenous rights or practices related to nature?
An example is the granting of legal rights to the Whanganui River in New Zealand, recognizing it as a living entity, or Winona LaDuke’s advocacy for sustainable land practices.
