My World Is Not Your World: Sit and Listen and We Can Learn Together

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces the knowledge of an Indigenous Worldview as a meta collective of the values, beliefs, protocols of Indigenous cultures worldwide. The worldview is applied to the Canadian context which includes 600+ Indigenous cultures and languages. A description of the key concepts of Oneness, a spiritual foundation and relationship are coupled with concepts about family, education, life cycles, gender, and language. Application of these concepts are described, including the application to current research. It is essential that professionals and academics working with Indigenous Peoples understand that Western/European worldviews do not apply. Indigenous scholars and leaders in Canada have used the concept of the Indigenous worldview to lead the reclamation of original Indigenous Nations and languages. The term provides an information base from which differentiation of Indigenous values and protocols and beliefs can be made from Western/European forms. In order to achieve reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and Western nations, knowledge of the Indigenous worldview is essential.

KEYWORDS:

• Indigenous
• worldview
• culture
• reconciliation
• research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 These five definitions may be used interchangeably within the paper with ‘Indigenous’ the current choice for usage. When specific Indigenous Peoples are named, then a specific term such as ‘Métis’ will be used. Otherwise the collective terms will be employed.

2 Also spelled Haudensaunee; Anglicized spelling of the language name Rotinonhsion:ni. The name ‘Iroquois’ has been historically used to name this confederation of six nations. However, Iroquois is no longer generally used by the Rotinonhsion:ni as the original language is preferred.

3 Traditional Oral Teaching.

4 Traditional Oral Teaching reinforced by current Indigenous research policy in Canada.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janet M. Derrick

Janet Derrick is of Haudensaunee, Irish and English heritage and works as a family therapist with Indigenous families in Canada.