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No Dirty Energy SummitWestern Mining Action Network
Albuquerque, NMSeptember 22-24, 2008
“Indigenous Perspectives: Commonalities, Relationship, Conservation and use of Natural
Resources”
David Begay, Ph.D.Policy Advisor, Dine’ Hataalii (Spiritual Healers)
Association
Indigenous Worldviews (Peek through the lens of the indigenous minds)
• Commonalities and Differences
• Interrelationships of all things
• All the parts enfold the whole
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Separation of man and nature
• View of the universe as mechanical to be manipulated and controlled by man
Dine’/ Indigenous
• Inseparable organic interconnection between man and nature forms harmonious whole
• View of universe as living system of interrelationships with man as an integral part of the whole
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Primarily linear thinking
• Planet resources are considered never-ending and commercially exploitable. Resources become economic, to be extracted for material gain
Dine’/ Indigenous
• Primarily cyclical thinking
• Ecological planetary responsibility established through kinship and caretaking. Reciprocal responsibility, accommodation, no exploitation
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• View of self as independent with right to manipulate nature
• Technologically and economically-oriented society based on self interest
Dine’/ Indigenous
• View of self as interdependent with earth and universe, no right to manipulate nature
• Spiritually-oriented society based on community interest
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Competition and materialism are positive values of life
• Mass production-based on society with unlimited expansionistic goals
Dine’/ Indigenous
• Sharing and give-away are positive values of life
• Society provides necessities for living- consume only what you need
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Rational, empirical faculties overrule intuitive faculties
• Intuitive and subconscious faculties are not valued in reductionistic methodology
Dine’/ Indigenous
• Intuitive, spiritual faculties important
• Intuitive consciousness of the unity and interrelationships of all phenomena
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Political and economic logic and values guide social decisions
• Negation of value of consciousness, intuitive aspects, spirit; if used they are marginalized or hidden
Dine’/ Indigenous
• Holistic, spiritual values can advance human growth and development to the furthest extent
• Consciousness, intuitive aspects, spirit are valued
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Library as repository of knowledge
• Value of objectivity research – subjectivity is devalued
Dine’/ Indigenous
• Nature and elders are repository of knowledge (stories and songs)
• Value of participatory research – subjectivity and objectivity are both valued
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Emphasis on individuality
• Primarily quantitative
• Validation through pre-agreed upon set of criteria
Dine’/ Indigenous
• Emphasis on value of collaboration
• Primarily qualitative
• Self-validation comes from individual intuitive, community recognition and approval, application to relevant way of life
Ecological Related Views
Euro-American
• Scientific methods include hypothesis, experimentation and replication
• Reductionistic, breaking down to smallest denominator
• Separation of matter and spirit
Dine’/ Indigenous
• The use of hypotheses, experimentation and replication is of lesser value
• Consciously aware of parts as they relate to the whole dynamic system
• Unity of matter and spirit
Some Things Should Be Left Alone
• Uranium mining – no knowledge of antidote and cure of diseases
• Sacrifice: land, water, air, community without verbal and/or written declaration – tremendous health risks
Matters to Consider
• Importance and awareness of indigenous perspectives
• Constructive dialogues should include indigenous perspectives
Mother Earth
Thank you