I’m not sure how I came across this video (Youtube algorithm at work perhaps), but it’s called Foundations of Indigenous Worldviews, and it is clear, informative, and rather inspiring:
The speaker, Lewis Cardinal (who is a prominent Indigenous Canadian – I was surprised I hadn’t hear of him), discusses living in relationship not only with other people, but with other beings. He says Indigenous peoples don’t put themselves at the centre of the circle.
With my new understanding of ‘root metaphors’, what I took from this video is that the circle is a root metaphor for Indigenous worldviews. We are all part of a whole.
Key quotes:
“Each person, family and nation is unique and has much to offer.”
“The individual needs the community and the community needs the individual.”