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