Lesson Seven: Challenges to Liberalism With Alternative Thought
2. Lesson 4.7.1 Aboriginal Perspectives
Challenges to Liberalism: Aboriginal Perspectives
One key aspect to Aboriginal culture is a belief in the value of the group or collective over
the individual. Many Aboriginal groups have values reflecting liberalism. For example, the Haudenosaunee promoted equality, and the ability of individuals to bring their concerns to the assembly of chiefs. However, Aboriginal survival often depended
upon group or collective values. The liberalist value of self-interest goes against collective Aboriginal values.
Another important aspect of traditional Aboriginal thought is the idea that all people must live in harmony with the land and respect it. Aboriginal peoples traditionally have been dependent on the land and all that exists on it. They believe their existence is of equal importance to that of the plants and animals. Many Aboriginals believe in a spiritual connection to the land. Therefore, the land cannot be owned by any one individual. Land is for all to use.
On the other hand, liberal capitalism regards land as something that can be bought and sold, including any resources located on the land.
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As a result of this basic difference in the approach to the land, Aboriginal peoples and the Canadian government have had ongoing land claim conflicts. Right from the start, settlers immediately began dividing land up amongst themselves while the very concept of land ownership was foreign to Aboriginal peoples.
Similarly, the Aboriginal desire for self-government includes the desire to make their own decisions regarding their land, economic well-being, and natural resource use. This also includes protecting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people cultures, languages, and education. This goes against the federal government's handling of these issues, which has not always been in the Aboriginal people's best interests.