3.1 The Concept of Relationality in Native American Worldviews
2 min read•july 25, 2024
Native American philosophy centers on relationality, emphasizing between humans, nature, and the spiritual realm. This worldview blurs lines between animate and inanimate, fostering a holistic perspective that values balance, harmony, and cyclical thinking.
Relationality contrasts sharply with Western individualism, prioritizing community well-being over personal autonomy. This approach influences concepts of time, knowledge acquisition, and property ownership, leading to unique perspectives on environmental ethics, decision-making, and justice systems.
Understanding Relationality in Native American Philosophy
Concept of Native American relationality
Top images from around the web for Concept of Native American relationality
Teaching Interconnectedness and Our Relationship to All Things as Elements of Educational ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Indigenization Guide: Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being – BCcampus View original
Is this image relevant?
Relationships and Identity View original
Is this image relevant?
Teaching Interconnectedness and Our Relationship to All Things as Elements of Educational ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Indigenization Guide: Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being – BCcampus View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Concept of Native American relationality
Teaching Interconnectedness and Our Relationship to All Things as Elements of Educational ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Indigenization Guide: Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being – BCcampus View original
Is this image relevant?
Relationships and Identity View original
Is this image relevant?
Teaching Interconnectedness and Our Relationship to All Things as Elements of Educational ... View original
Is this image relevant?
Indigenization Guide: Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being – BCcampus View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Interconnectedness of all things unites humans, nature, and spiritual realm blurring lines between animate and inanimate (trees, rocks)
- Holistic worldview emphasizes balance and harmony embracing cyclical rather than linear thinking (seasons, life cycles)
- Reciprocal relationships foster mutual responsibilities between entities promoting giving and receiving (gift economies)
- Identity formation through relationships defines self by connections to others centering community perspective (clan affiliations)
Relationality vs Western individualism
- Collective vs. individual focus prioritizes community well-being over personal autonomy (communal land use)
- Nature of existence contrasts being-in- with being-as-individual (interdependence vs self-reliance)
- Concept of time views cyclical, interconnected past-present-future instead of linear, progressive timeline (oral histories)
- Knowledge acquisition values experiential, communal wisdom over empirical, individual achievement ( traditions)
- Ownership and property embraces stewardship and shared resources rather than private property and individual rights (commons)
Implications of relational worldviews
- Consideration of long-term consequences applies seven generations principle fostering sustainable practices (forest management)
- Consensus-based decision making includes diverse perspectives and values elder wisdom (tribal councils)
- Restorative justice approaches focus on healing relationships and community reintegration over punishment (peacemaking circles)
- Environmental ethics treats nature as relative, not resource instilling responsibility to maintain ecological balance (sacred sites)
- Holistic problem-solving addresses root causes considering impacts on all relations (traditional medicine)
Role of kinship in relational thinking
- Extended family structures incorporate clan systems and non-blood relatives as (adoption practices)
- Ancestral connections honor past generations carrying forward traditional knowledge (naming )
- Human-nature recognizes animals, plants, and landscapes as relatives fostering totemic relationships (animal spirits)
- Spiritual kinship maintains connections to creator and spirit world reinforced through ceremonial practices (vision quests)
- Social responsibilities establish reciprocal obligations within kinship networks promoting sharing of resources and support (potlatch)
Key Terms to Review (16)
Animism: Animism is the belief that all entities, including animals, plants, and even inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence or soul. This understanding fosters a deep connection and respect for the natural world, emphasizing the importance of relationships between humans and non-human beings.
Ceremonies: Ceremonies in Native American cultures are structured, symbolic acts that serve to reinforce community values, beliefs, and relationships within the natural and spiritual world. They are vital expressions of relationality, highlighting the interconnectedness of individuals with each other, their ancestors, nature, and the cosmos. These rituals are not merely performances; they embody a deeper understanding of existence and maintain the cultural heritage of Native American peoples.
Community-centric: Community-centric refers to a worldview that emphasizes the importance of relationships and interconnectedness within a community, placing collective well-being and cultural values at the forefront of decision-making. This perspective is foundational in Native American philosophies, which recognize that individual actions impact the community and the environment, reinforcing the idea that all beings are interrelated.
Gregory Cajete: Gregory Cajete is a prominent Native American scholar, educator, and author known for his work in Indigenous philosophy and education. He emphasizes the importance of relationality, interconnectedness, and the use of storytelling in Indigenous ways of knowing, advocating for the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary educational practices.
Holism: Holism is the idea that systems and their properties should be viewed as wholes, rather than as collections of parts. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of existence, including relationships among people, nature, and the spiritual world, shaping Indigenous philosophies and practices.
Interconnectedness: Interconnectedness refers to the intrinsic relationships and connections that exist among all beings, entities, and aspects of life. In various philosophical perspectives, particularly Native American thought, it emphasizes that individuals, communities, and nature are woven together in a web of relationships where every action impacts others.
Kin: Kin refers to the network of relationships and connections among individuals based on blood relations, marriage, or shared cultural ties within a community. In many Native American worldviews, kinship is not limited to biological connections but encompasses a broader understanding of relationships that includes social, spiritual, and communal dimensions. This concept highlights the importance of interconnectedness and the responsibility individuals have towards their kin, emphasizing a relational way of understanding existence.
Kinship: Kinship refers to the network of social relationships that connect individuals through blood relations, marriage, and other bonds, playing a crucial role in organizing social structures. In many cultures, especially within Native American communities, kinship shapes identities, responsibilities, and relationships with others, including the natural world. This interconnectedness emphasizes the importance of relationality, environmental stewardship, and how humans perceive their place in nature.
Our Relatives: In Native American philosophies, 'our relatives' refers to the interconnectedness of all beings, emphasizing that humans share a profound relationship with nature, animals, plants, and ancestors. This concept fosters a sense of responsibility and respect toward all forms of life, highlighting that every entity is part of a larger family within the cosmos.
Reciprocity: Reciprocity refers to the mutual exchange of benefits or resources among individuals, communities, or entities, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence within relationships. This concept is foundational in many Indigenous cultures, highlighting the importance of giving and receiving in a balanced way that fosters harmony and respect in all interactions.
Relation: In Native American philosophy, relation refers to the interconnectedness and interdependence of all beings and elements within the universe. This concept emphasizes that individuals do not exist in isolation but rather are part of a larger web of relationships that includes other people, animals, plants, and the environment. Understanding relation fosters a sense of responsibility and respect towards these connections, shaping moral and ethical behaviors in Native American cultures.
Respect for All Beings: Respect for all beings is a fundamental principle in many Native American philosophies that emphasizes the interconnectedness and intrinsic value of all forms of life. This concept is rooted in the belief that every being, whether human, animal, plant, or even inanimate, has its own unique role and purpose within the larger web of existence. By fostering a sense of respect, individuals are encouraged to honor relationships, recognize the rights of other beings, and live in harmony with nature.
Spiritual ecology: Spiritual ecology is a field of study that explores the interconnection between spiritual beliefs and environmental practices, emphasizing the sacred relationship between humans and the natural world. It highlights how various cultural and religious traditions view nature not just as a resource, but as a living entity deserving of respect and care. This perspective fosters a deeper understanding of sustainability by integrating spiritual values into ecological practices, encouraging communities to engage with their environment in a meaningful way.
Storytelling: Storytelling is a powerful means of sharing knowledge, culture, and values through narratives that are often passed down orally from one generation to another. It plays a crucial role in shaping identity, preserving history, and fostering community ties among Indigenous peoples.
The Good Life: The good life refers to a state of well-being that is deeply connected to relationality, where individuals find fulfillment through meaningful relationships with others, nature, and the spiritual world. In this view, the good life emphasizes balance, harmony, and interconnectedness, often seen as a collective journey rather than an individual pursuit. It is shaped by cultural values, responsibilities to community and environment, and a sense of purpose.
Vine Deloria Jr.: Vine Deloria Jr. was a prominent Native American author, theologian, historian, and activist known for his influential works that advocate for Indigenous rights and perspectives. His writings challenge Western philosophies and highlight the significance of Indigenous knowledge systems, making substantial contributions to various aspects of Native American thought.