INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

As Indigenous Peoples, we begin each day with a prayer, bringing our minds together in thanks for every part of the natural world. We are grateful that each part of our natural world continues to fulfill the responsibilities that have been set for it by our Creator, in an unbreakable relationship to each other. As the roles and responsibilities are fulfilled, we are allowed to live our lives in peace. We are grateful for the natural order put in place and regulated by natural laws.

A growing body of western scientific evidence now suggests what Indigenous Peoples have expressed for a long time: life as we know it is in danger. We can no longer afford to ignore the consequences. We must learn to live with this shadow, and always strive towards the light that will restore the natural order. How western science and technology is being used needs to be examined in order for Mother Earth to sustain life.

We draw no line between what is political and what is spiritual. Our leaders are also our spiritual leaders. In making any law, our leaders must consider three things: the effect of their decisions on peace; the effect on the natural order and law; and the effect on future generations. The natural order and laws are self-evident and do not need scientific proof. We believe that all lawmakers should be required to think this way, that all constitutions should contain these principles.

Our Indigenous knowledge teaches us respect for the sacredness for our Mother Earth, Father Sky and the Circle of Life. This traditional knowledge teaches us to be thoughtful of whatever decisions we make that will have impact on our future generations. Our Indigenous brothers and sisters of the eastern territories of Turtle Island - the Haudenosaunee - have expressed the need to make decisions based on concerns for the “seven generations to come”. To many Indigenous Peoples of North America, we see the Precautionary Principle similar to this Seventh Generation concept.

www.ienearth.org/precautionary2.html