Aboriginal Traditions Essay Example

them.

Throughout the essay, the author demonstrates the holistic perspective of the world typical of traditional Aboriginal values. This is evident hen the author states that he and his wife will raise their children to know "what is important in life". He also comments that city people are always in a hurry, never stopping to fully appreciate the majesty of nature as he himself does at night with his telescope. Lesson 7: Sources of Aboriginal History a. An elder tells a story about hunting caribou with his grandfather This example can help us learn about Aboriginal culture because it is a source of oral history that shows the importance of hunting and storytelling in traditional Aboriginal lifestyles.

Stories about hunting held significance cause it is a method of sharing essential information about how to hunt for survival. Another important aspect of the storytelling process was teach inning children how to listen and respect their elders. Stories were meant to stimulate their imaginations and powers of vision and hearing.

Storytellers amongst Aboriginal communities were very respected, as it was their responsibility to pass on traditions and history with accuracy to ensure the integrity of the information given to the next generation. B. ) A totem pole shows an eagle clutching a salmon in its jaws Historians and archeologist trying to interpret and understand the story of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada often utilize totem poles.

Totem poles can act as a coat of arms for different clans and represent a connection and unity among the members of a group.

Alternately, totem poles can also be memorial monuments, which can help us learn about the ancestry and history

of a particular group of people. Since totem poles originally came from the Northwest cost of Canada, they are especially helpful when learning about Aboriginals occupying that specific region. Animals depicted on totem poles often hold special meanings that can be analyzed to learn more about specific events or people.

Lesson 8: Communal Responsibilities Women play an important role in traditional Aboriginal communities.

They perform many physical tasks crucial to the survival Of the group. These include preparing food, raising children, making clothing, tanning animal hides, collecting firewood, and more. They were also respected as spiritual healers and in the matrilineal Iroquois Confederacy, women considered to be wise chose the chiefs among the men. Today, Aboriginal women face many challenges because of political and social prejudices created by ethnocentric legislation, indoctrinated racism and sexism.

It is harder for Aboriginal women to find work and seek higher education, often having to rely on social assistance from the government, which only furthers the paternalistic aims of the Indian Act by making it so that a large portion of the Aboriginal community depends on the government for everyday needs. Aboriginal women were recognized as essential to the traditional community and continue to overcome obstacles to improve their lives and achieve great success. In traditional Aboriginal communities, elders were the oldest and most respected men in their society.

One of their most important responsibilities as to communicate traditional world view and values of the Aboriginal people through storytelling.

These stories taught key life lessons such as respect and cooperation. Elders also acted as councilors to the group, helping everyone get along with each other and sharing knowledge about child

rearing. Today, many of the younger generation do not understand the ancient language as well as their ancestors, making it more challenging for the elders to pass on and share traditions than it was in the past.

Elders play an extremely important role in the Aboriginal community because of their part in preserving Aboriginal traditions and culture.

Lesson 9: Traditional Ceremonies and Rituals Ceremony/Ritual Link to the natural world (land, animals, plants) Link to the spirit world/ancestors 1. Potlatch Sharing the abundance of Mother Earth (gifts of food) and honoring the animals Recognizing ancestors by telling about the family history 2.