Loss of Indigenous Eden and the Fall of Spirituality by Blair Stonechild

Author:Blair Stonechild
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Regina Press
Published: 2019-12-18T17:06:01+00:00

Figure 6: 1492—Spiritual and Ideological Divide. Map by Freepik

In Indigenous ecolizations, humans were humble and thankful for the gifts of Creation. They recognized that spirituality is only one aspect of knowing, but it is the most important, as it is a higher form of wisdom and is foundational to establishing sound knowledge systems. However, over time, people began to interject their own image onto deities. As humans increasingly became mediators of the sacred through religion, they not only distanced themselves from direct commune with the ethereal but were also compelled to take more responsibility for their own moral shortcomings by creating human-made laws and moral codes.

Renaissance of Indigenous Spirituality

Canadian census results suggest that Indigenous spiritual practices are experiencing a resurgence. In the 1991 census, nearly 2.5 percent of respondents identified Indigenous spirituality when asked about their religious affiliation. By 2001, that number had risen to 4.5 percent, a nearly 200 percent increase. In contrast, identification with mainstream religions including Catholicism and Protestantism had dropped.78 An independent study in forty-two Indigenous-controlled schools revealed that two-thirds of youth had participated in ceremonies and that half preferred Indigenous worldviews to other forms of belief.79

The resurgence of ceremonies is having a positive effect on communities and, especially, on the lives of Indigenous youth. Studies suggest that rates of substance abuse and suicide are declining among populations where Indigenous faith is strong. This should suggest to policy makers that supporting a return to spiritual ways will bring positive developments for all.80

Ecolization

In Figure 6, the Indigenous ecolization, which flourished for about 200,000 years prior to the rise of civilization, is indicated in black. The inhabitants of Indigenous Eden placed high priority on spiritual values and recognized the inherent worth of all created things. They understood that the Creator placed them on Earth to live harmoniously and to be stewards of nature. Their world was marked by healthy and stable relationships with both the natural environment and with one another. The result of these non-exploitative relationships with nature is abundance of food and resources, a healthy environment, and harmony between groups. Indigenous Eden was not perfect and people made mistakes. However, because the underlying values included the potential to rectify misdeeds, the potential to restore healthy relationships always remained.

First Peoples feared the force of human greed that in Cree is called Wetiko. These cultures went to great lengths to ensure this force was kept at bay. Those who exhibited selfish behaviours placed their own interests above those of the community and the rest of Creation. If they would not change, their communities banished or, if necessary, killed them. The people realized that Wetiko would destroy the sacredness of societies if left unchecked.

Civilization

Civilization occurred in the areas of the world in which human-

centred ideology was on the ascendant. The idea of human-centred Creation arose in the Middle East approximately 6,000 years ago. Increasingly, human figures were incorporated into portrayals of deities, suggesting society’s abandonment of spiritual humility. Greek philosophers questioned the role of humanity and extolled self-aggrandizing values of human intelligence and beauty.

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