The sacred story of the circle of life…who has it…who wants it…who is allowed to know it.
Mi'kmaw Culture
For many people the traditional ways of diverse cultures are often overlooked if you are not directly affected by them. Even members of these diverse cultures are divided by tradition and contemporary practices. These are choices underpinned by their cultural leaders. We may consider government and religious leaders as cultural leaders, but there are others within cultures that govern their people. Leadership is an influence relationship between people. A small percentage of cultural leaders are true leaders who know how to manage change, collaborate, follow and live by example. This is the new standard.
True cultural leaders recognize the importance of passing along traditional practices and adapting to modern practices as defined by their culture. Indigenous cultures have been surviving long before North America was settled. They still exist today, but fight for autonomy. Why? Why should they have to fight? Why should they be segregated? What threats do they pose that are different from any other culture?
It is ironic to think that we have evolved to accept different cultural practices, but fail to respect them. When we are not connected or related in anyway to others, we cannot lead. We can see government working with indigenous peoples to achieve a balance, but it is still influenced by government policy and funding. Who makes the government accountable? Why do we still have assimilation? Why does this happen globally? Why are we constantly struggling for rights? Why does everyone have to fit in to one square box when each individual is unique? Is it safety? Is it control? Is it power? Is it for the good of the people? What do we want…knowledge, land, resources, religion? All of the above.
How can we make a difference?
Leaders must embrace cultural differences and recognize the opportunities to eliminate segregation and assimilation. They must lead by example and empower Indigenous people to choose what is best for their people by empowering them to govern their own people. True collaboration between these diverse groups inherently deepens the process to generate new ways to sustain people, in the most basic sense, and their culture. The advantage is now we must wipe the slate clean and build a relationship from the ground up with new boundaries. The same needs exist across any culture. Let’s support future leaders, who have the vision to co-operate together…for the good of the people…for the survival of their people.
Here are two events you may want to be aware of:
International INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP GATHERING
http://nativejourney.wordpress.com/international-indigenous-leadership-gathering
A ‘Battlestar Galactica’ panel discussion at the United Nations
Stef
