By Jackie Mersereau
Philanthropy is not solely a creation of the Western world and can be seen in several traditions, cultures and religions around the world. Anthropological research has shown us that there has not been a culture or a time where giving and sharing was not perceived as a noble action yet most of the published material is on Philanthropy in the Western tradition. Read the rest of this entry >>
by Crystal Leverman
The First Nations people of Nova Scotia are the Mi’kmaq (info, The Mi’kmaq. 2008). With 13 Native communities in the province (Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey. 2010), the Mi’kmaq have a history of generosity (Mi’lmaw Welcome.2003). As discussed in an interview with Native artist and storyteller Gerald Gloade (personal communication September 28, 2010) two customs that demonstrate the generosity of the Mi’kmaq people are particularly relevant; first, when a community member dies, and second, Read the rest of this entry >>
By Dedre Medeiros
Midewiwin means Grand Medicine Society and it is concerned with the harmony of life on Mother Earth and the respect and love for all things that live (Rice, N.D.). The Midewiwin is an organization that was created among the Ojibway communities to protect tribal traditions, spread these traditions to other tribes and to share and protect medicinal knowledge between different tribes (Gudzune, 2008). To live as a Midewiwin is to be a “Mide”, or it is also known as being a part of the “the Lodge.” Initiation ceremonies, fasts, sweat lodges, Read the rest of this entry >>
By Jesse Kalyshov
The First Nations people of Canada have a beautiful culture marked with a deep history of generosity and philanthropy. Their beliefs are rooted in the idea that the universe alone owns everything. Gift giving is prominent in their society and is illustrated greatly through the ceremony of The Potlatch.
A Potlatch was an elaborate feast where family and neighbours of the host would assemble for a wedding, the naming of a child, the start of the berry or salmon season or the building of a new plank house. Read the rest of this entry >>
By Alexa Kack
I recently found out that I am 1/8th Native Canadian, so I thought it would be interesting to explore an Aboriginal form of philanthropy, I chose the potlatch ceremony. The potlatch ceremony is about community giving and overall mutual support. The word potlatch is a Chinook term deriving from North American West coast Tribal groups. There seems to be varying interpretations and ideas surrounding the potlatch.
Mr. Franz Boas in an 1895 interview with a North West Coast Native brought forth the idea that the potlatch was almost a replacement for tribal warfare. Read the rest of this entry >>
By Barb Duncan
Philanthropy, the altruistic concern for the welfare of others, is embedded in the past and continues to be a way of life among many of the First Nation tribes. This type of generosity was demonstrated through the giving of time, word, prayers, gifts, energy or love and was used to build a sense of connectedness to one another (Bowden, u.d). One deeply rooted tradition within this culture is known as the Potlatch which means “to give”. Read the rest of this entry >>
By N. Dicecco
At the core of the First Nations belief system is the philosophy of giving of one’s self or personal belonging to others in order to sustain the circle of life within the universe. As a child protection worker, this philosophical belief it clearly demonstrated by the caring and nurturing a native foster parent gives to the children placed in their home. Be them children within their own cultural or others, Read the rest of this entry >>
By Erin Cox
When attending an important celebration in today’s society, like a birth or a marriage, it is the guest who brings a gift to show their happiness for the occasion. But for the Kwakwaka’wakw people, the opposite is true. “When one’s heart is glad, he gives away gifts. Our creator gave it to us, to be our way of doing things, to be our way of rejoicing, we who are Indian. The Potlatch was given to us to be our way of expressing joy” – Agnes Alfred of Albert Bay (1980).
A potlatch is a ceremony intrinsic to the social and spiritual community of the Kwakwaka’wakw located in British Colombia. These ceremonies are thrown for all important celebrations of their community. Read the rest of this entry >>
By Erin Cox
When attending an important celebration in today’s society, like a birth or a marriage, it is the guest who brings a gift to show their happiness for the occasion. But for the Kwakwaka’wakw people, the opposite is true. “When one’s heart is glad, he gives away gifts. Our creator gave it to us, to be our way of doing things, to be our way of rejoicing, we who are Indian. The Potlatch was given to us to be our way of expressing joy” – Agnes Alfred of Albert Bay (1980).
A potlatch is a ceremony intrinsic to the social and spiritual community of the Kwakwaka’wakw located in British Colombia. Read the rest of this entry >>
by Priscilla M. Madrigal Saballos
The Incas are the Indian people of Peru, who in the two centuries before the Spanish discovery of America, conquered an area stretching from the Southern border of present day Colombia to central Chile centering on the city of Cuzco in the Peruvian Andes. The Incas made their appearance in South America in the XI century (Loprete, 2001). They began by enlarging their territory beyond the immediate valley of Cuzco. By 1492, the Inca Empire is established and ruling over approximately 10 million people and the population is composed primarily of soldiers and farmers (National Geographic Television, 2002). Read the rest of this entry >>