Indigenous Peoples Issues - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 654

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Extended family or kinship systems, and

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Experience with outsiders.

These differences are encountered between communities from one location and/or social
group to another. Similarly, these types of differences also occur within a society, particu-
larly between generations.
However, there are certain similarities that exist both between and within many indig-
enous communities. These include:
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Close afi liation with the land;

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Internally-understood rules and codes of conduct;

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A community structure which gives elders a leadership role;

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Important cultural and spiritual knowledge passed from one generation to the next;

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Community memory of events, and

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Negative experience with outsiders at some time.

These aspects of a society are highly important to an understanding of how Indigenous
Peoples think and view the world, both as individuals and as groups. Like people any-
where, indigenous societies generally:
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Desire improved conditions for future generations, and

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Deserve and expect respect.

Close afi liation with the land is a fundamental characteristic of most indigenous com-
munities. This includes the concept of the Earth as 'mother' or creator of life, as well as
the close identii cation of individuals, families or tribes with particular parts of the land-
scape. For Indigenous Peoples living a customary lifestyle, this identii cation with the land
permeates their entire existence. Damage to, and, in some cases, exclusion from the land
results in anguish and even grief due to the belief that the indigenous society will inevita-
bly suffer as a consequence. Their belief system allows for a direct and consequential rela-
tionship between the land and their well being.
The knowledge passed by Indigenous Peoples from generation to generation provides
all the information required to survive and to live a customary life. Among other things,
this knowledge includes how, where, and when to i nd different types of food and other
resources, and a detailed understanding of weather patterns, seasonal changes and their
effects on biological systems. It frequently provides a code of conduct for interacting with
other communities, as well as treating and respecting guests.
Rules and codes of conduct differ widely from one indigenous society to another.
Ignorance of these may cause amusement, disdain, or offence, and may lead to miscommu-
nication or misunderstanding. Such rules may not be easily learned, as they are seldom avail-
able in accessible publications. This rel ects the oral nature of many aboriginal traditions.
Negative experiences of outsiders are common among virtually all Indigenous Peoples,
although the numbers and severity of the experiences differ from one people to another.
In some cases these experiences have generated an overt hostility toward outsiders; more
commonly they result in suspicion and mistrust.
Indigenous Peoples living traditional lifestyles often have values that are different to those
of the non-indigenous. One example is the so-called 'work ethic'. By the standards of the
non-indigenous, Indigenous Peoples are commonly seen as unmotivated, lacking application
or lazy. From the indigenous viewpoint, however, the non-indigenous are seen as being pre-
occupied by work and the material benei ts that it generates, to the exclusion of more impor-
tant social and spiritual needs. Similarly, time is valued very differently. Unused to the western
concept that 'time is money', Indigenous Peoples may not subscribe to or revere the clock-
driven 'virtues' of punctuality, adherence to schedules, and meeting deadlines. Accustomed

Close affi liation with the land is
a fundamental characteristic of
most indigenous communities.

From the indigenous viewpoint
the non-indigenous are seen
as being pre-occupied by work
and the material benefi ts that
it generates, to the exclusion
of more important social and
spiritual needs.