The Quality of Life: A Indigenous Perspective*

• In Event: 078 - Section on Sociology of Culture Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 09. Culture and Globalization

Abstract

Abstract

One of the most interesting features of indigenous peoples is their substantive reliance on the interrelatedness of nature. Today’s call for global diversity and higher forms of the quality of life are indeed limited when they are built within the constraints of modern nation-states, which often views diversity as deviance if it does not conform to modern norms and definitions. Traditional indigenous knowledge can provide long-lasting answers to current environment problems and provide us with ideas on how to improve our questions and, therefore, improve our potential for more equitable, less oppressive structures from which to approach the numerous problems. Indigenous Peoples with traditional perspectives and actions provide us with the greatest diversity throughout our planet, similar to the so-called ecological system. They have the potential to give us the highest probability for future “developments” and symbiotic changes. Internal colonialism and generations of domination create deep complications, therefore, the roles and actions of traditional peoples are central to our future and the generations to come. We can learn that the point is not to simply focus upon human rights and an anthropocentric sense of keeping things natural or simply being against pollution, but more upon the respect for and learning from nature by traditional indigenous peoples.

Author

• Pat L. Lauderdale, ASU