Worldview:

For the purpose of this study Worldview is defined as it generally applies to First Nations culture. First Nations worldview and perspectives are defined relative to their community and the collective experience of their community. There is diversity in ritual and ceremonial practice, experience, environment but the essence of worldview with regard to philosophy and ideology is similar in many respects. As culture changes and evolves over time so to would worldview. The impact of white encroachment and the influence of Christianity are sometimes evident. Each community has ideas unique to that community, certain ideas have a special emphasis or focus and some ideas are unique to particular members

Worldview is the vision one has about their surroundings as far reaching as the universe and everything in it. Aboriginal people would believe in a multi-verse as a distinguishing feature. Aboriginal peoples view themselves 'in relationship' to all living things and that all things are related to one another and live 'in relationship'. Another distinguishing feature of Aboriginal Worldview is the fact that what the Western world would view as 'living' and what would be considered dead are quite different from Aboriginal people. There are many things in nature that are considered to have a life force, for example rocks. Rocks may be considered 'lifeless' by the Western worldview but Aboriginal peoples have a history and a knowing that speaks to the relationship with the rock being. For Aboriginal people the rock is alive - it has a life force and energy to it.

Worldview is a very complex system of ideas a person learns over their lifetime and never really completely. Most people express their worldview indirectly by the way they act, the choices they make and the stories they tell (McClellan, p.250). "A people's worldview is at the very heart of their culture, because it gives order and meaning to life" (McClellan, p.250). Elders pass on their worldview to the younger generation.

Oral Worldview Legend by Cecil King
Please click on the picture below to hear the Legend.