By Ruth Brago
First nation believes that to give should not be a duty in which individuals get to choose whether or not they want to help someone, such as their neighbour. Giving to First Nation people is not a chose to them but instead it is their beliefs and traditions which forms their community and makes the world a better place for everyone. They do not divide themselves up into individuals but sees themselves as one big family, meaning if one person succeeds in life they all do. Within the native culture “philanthropy means the honour of giving” (Well, retrieved 2010). In the western culture when an individual gives money or an item to another, they feel a sense of pride that makes them feel as if they are above the person who they are giving to. In Native culture the giver and the recipients sees themselves as equal, no one is height than the other, and through giving they honour each other.
Native Americans tribes where made up out of small groups of people, who took care and looked after each other as brothers and sisters, husband and wives. The women would usually stay home; look after their children and their community as a whole. Men would go off as a group to hunt and bring supplies home to their community. They always share whatever they have with each other, so that no one goes hungry. “During the season when food was most available, usually summer, these small groups would gather together, with several hundred people spending a few weeks in feasting, trading, and visiting” (Native, 2000).
Even during the 1800’s when newcomers first arrived on this lands (America), First Nation people shown them the same respect as they would if it was someone in their community. They help them by giving the necessary supplies they needed to survive. They respected the newcomers as equals, respected their cultural differences and welcomed them into their communities. The Natives believes everything in the world is connected and by helping the newcomers, they are helping the world as a whole. Giving “promotes balance for both participants in the exchange process and works to create harmony in the world” (Well, retrieved 2010).
In conclusion, I have come to realized that for many native cultures, giving and sharing is simply their way of life. Giving is a way of showing respect and love for “the land, life of human and non-human, keeping harmony between humans and nature” ( Brueger, retrieved 2010).
Works Cited
Wells, Ronald Austin. Native America Philanthropy. Learning to Give. retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/. Retrieved Sept 2010.
History of First Nations’ Social Service Arrangements in Ontario (2007).. HISTORY OF FIRST NATIONS SOCIAL SERVICES ARRANGEMENTS WITHIN MCSS AND ITS PREDECESSORS. Retrieved from http://www.openpolicyontario.com/Publications/History%20of%20First%20Nations.pdf.
Native Americans (2000). Traditional Way of Life Retrieved from http://www.angelfire.com/realm/shades/nativeamericans/nativeam9.htm.
Brueger, N., (retrieved 2010).Philanthropy and The Native American Perspective. http://learningtogive.org/faithgroups/voices/phil_native_american_persp.asp.
