Module 1 - Belanger Ch2 - The Land & Political Economy Flashcards
Why has it been difficult to define the North American Indigenous populations as a collective culture?
Because each population of indigenous cultures developed their own distinctive political and economic processes specific to their environment.
The environment differs across Canada. The various cultures responded to the creator.
What was North America called before European settlement?
Turtle Island
What is Political Economy?
the study of the science of government—that is, how societies balance the complex interplay among politics, law, and economics.
What is Political Economy from an indigenous perspective?
the study of the environment’s influence on Indigenous political institutions and economic ideologies as these respond to prevailing ecological forces and the dynamics associated with Creation.
we must consider how the actions of individuals in a community influence its overall dynamic and how that one community in turn can affect its neighbours.
How were stereotypes of Indigenous People formed?
Non-Indigenous writers and scholars portrayed the Indigenous people as barbaric, poor, nasty, brutish and short.
Part of a colonial agenda to actively remove Indigenous people from the land the settlers wanted.
How did anthropologists view indigenous cultures?
widely portrayed as Stone Age tribes slowly progressing toward civilization.
How did economists view the indigenous cultures?
no more than hunters and gatherers engaging in limited trade and with no industry.
How did political scientists view indigenous cultures?
metrics were devised to distinguish peoples in terms of how advanced their social philosophies were in relation to Western institutions.
What continues to hamper indigenous development in Canada?
it continues to be measured in terms of Western norms, which continue to frame Indigenous cultures as inferior.
Why is it that newcomers (Settlers) were not able to understand the Indigenous cultures? frequently did take the time to try to better understand what they were observing. The problem many individuals faced was that the thoughts of an individual, or community of individuals, often cannot be understood by another individual or community of individuals.
frequently they did take the time to try to better understand what they were observing but the thoughts of an individual, or community of individuals, often cannot be understood by another individual or community of individuals.
European settlers relied on what have been termed Eurocentric or ethnocentric ideas that developed into barriers to cultural understanding and the creation of positive long-term and enduring economic and political partnerships.
What is absent from measures used to understand Indigenous peoples?
Indigenous approaches and Indigenous voices
Legal scholar who writes about Indigenous traditions
Sakej Youngblood Henderson
What is Henderson’s thesis regarding the the relationship between the ecological order and Indigenous political and economic traditions?
specific Indigenous political and economic strategies arose in response to Creation.
What is a key reason why Indigenous political and economic systems were distinct from European systems?
Indigenous systems were based on ecological contexts and relationships with nature.
What was a common characteristic of North American Indigenous political traditions?
An absence of coercive power relations and emphasis on kinship.
Why is it important to consider the ecological context in understanding Indigenous political and economic systems?
Because it shapes how resources are utilized and political processes are formulated.
How did Indigenous leaders typically gain respect and influence within their communities?
By building a reputation based on acts of bravery and wisdom.
What was a significant barrier to understanding Indigenous political and economic systems by European settlers?
The reliance on Eurocentric ideas that created barriers to cultural understanding.
What was the impact of the band-council model on Indigenous communities?
It coincided with socio-economic depression and contradicted traditional governance.
How did Indigenous economic systems differ from European systems in terms of resource utilization?
Indigenous systems emphasized ecological balance and resource renewal.
What supports the assertion of Indigenous community development?
Relation to land
What are Eurocentric and ethnocentric ideas?
These are Western-centered perspectives that assume European cultural norms are universal, creating barriers to understanding other worldviews, like those of Indigenous peoples.
How do Western and Indigenous approaches to political science and economics differ?
Western approaches focus on power, coercion, and resource management, while Indigenous systems are based on relationships with the land (Creation) and ecological harmony.
What role does ecology play in Indigenous philosophies?
Ecology shapes Indigenous political and economic systems, guiding their development in response to natural rhythms and relationships with the land.
How does language reflect Indigenous ecological contexts?
Indigenous languages often derive words from natural sounds, like the Mi’kmaq tree names mimicking the sound of wind through their leaves.
What are the consequences of losing Indigenous languages?
Language loss disrupts cultural identity and connection to ecological context, severing ties to Creation and the stories of the land.
What does the land base itself inform in Indigenous political economies?
It informs governance, resource use, and cultural processes, reflecting the natural rhythms and ecological realities of specific territories.
What is the significance of Roberto Unger’s work in understanding European ideas?
Unger highlights that European notions of nature were crafted by theologians to separate society from the natural world, contrasting with Indigenous philosophies rooted in ecological contexts.
Why do Indigenous leaders emphasize language protection and revitalization?
Because language expresses cultural identity and ecological context, preserving connections to Creation and the stories of the land.
What misconceptions about Indigenous peoples are perpetuated by some political scientists like Tom Flanagan?
They portray Indigenous societies as “tribal” with no specialized government structures, claiming European civilization was more advanced and its colonization inevitable and justifiable.
What is the perspective of Frances Widdowson and Albert Howard on Indigenous governance?
They argue that Indigenous systems are inherently inferior and advocate assimilation into Western capitalism and democracy, dismissing the relevance of ancestral practices.
How do North American Indigenous political traditions differ from Western systems?
Indigenous systems emphasized an absence of coercive power, promoted relationships with all beings, and discouraged individual economic competition and material wealth accumulation.
What role did kinship play in Indigenous governance?
Kinship networks prioritized mutual responsibility for Creation, promoting reciprocal relationships among humans, animals, and the environment.
How did Indigenous societies maintain public order without centralized authority?
Through self-discipline, public opinion, and ridicule, rather than coercion or hierarchical power structures.
How were leaders chosen and respected in Indigenous communities?
Leaders gained respect through acts of bravery, wisdom, discretion, and community service, and they led by example rather than through coercive power or material wealth.
What protocols were in place to maintain balance in Indigenous societies?
Grievance forums allowed individuals to voice concerns, public debates were avoided to maintain calm dialogues, and consensus was sought without binding everyone to council decisions.
What did Indigenous communities view as the relationship between personal and tribal interests?
Self-interest and the tribal good were intertwined, ensuring that individuals worked for the benefit of the community as a whole.
How did Indigenous views on materialism differ from Western capitalism?
Materialism was considered futile and dangerous, and centralized wealth accumulation was deliberately avoided to prevent abuse of power.
What impact has the band-council model had on Indigenous communities?
It has coincided with socio-economic challenges and contradicted traditional governing processes, encouraging political ambition and economic greed.
What was the role of hereditary chiefs in some Indigenous nations?
They served as coordinators, mentors, and role models, ensuring community interests were prioritized and leaders were trained from a young age.
How did governance systems differ among Indigenous nations?
While many were egalitarian, some, like those on the Northwest Coast, had hierarchical structures with chiefs appointed based on lineage and prestige.
What was the role of consensus in Indigenous governance?
Decisions were made through consensus to minimize conflicts, with dissenters allowed to leave or work diplomatically to influence change.
How did Indigenous governance systems view land ownership?
Land was shared equitably among all beings, as no one could own Creation; relationships with the land emphasized respect and balance.
How were differences of opinion managed in Indigenous governance?
Leaders used humor, diplomacy, and example-setting to minimize conflicts and maintain unity within the community.
How did Indigenous economies differ from European economies regarding innovation?
Indigenous economies did not emphasize industrialization, wage labor, or entrepreneurship but instead focused on ecological balance and respect for natural resources.
What was the potlatch ceremony, and what role did it play in West Coast Indigenous communities?
The potlatch was an elaborate ceremony where individuals gave away accumulated goods, temporarily increasing political influence and reinforcing social relationships.
How did Indigenous communities ensure resource sustainability?
They practiced balanced resource use, avoiding overexploitation, and focused on resource renewal and ecological harmony.
What resources supported the Saulteaux economy in Manitoba’s Interlake region?
Fish, sap for sugar, game animals, vegetables, birch trees for lodges and canoes, and fur-bearing animals for trade.
What role did trade play in Indigenous economies?
Trade fulfilled material needs, satisfied desires, maintained political alliances, and facilitated social and regional connections.
