LA3: Reflective Journal #2

Student name: RAVISH KUMAR VERMA

Student ID#: 239533310
Sec on: 1-T

Describe Indigenous governance prior to the se lement of Canada.

Imagine you are responsible for crea ng a Wampum Belt that represents the
differences in the ways of life of Indigenous and se lers as they are apparent in
The Wampum Belt Tells Us (Johnston, 2010). What contrasts in customs and
rela onships between individuals and the land would you highlight in the belt?
Refer to the readings' characters and events to select the examples in your
analysis.

Indigenous Governance

Indigenous government was diverse and diversified among different Indigenous

groups and tribes before Canada was se led. Indigenous socie es had unique
governmental structures that frequently depended on familial rela onships, group
decision-making, and a strong bond to the land.

Clans or extended families, which created the basis of many Indigenous

civiliza ons' poli cal and social structures, were kinship-based organiza ons that
were organized into many Indigenous communi es. Individuals within these kin
groups had specific responsibili es and du es, and each group had its own internal
hierarchies and posi ons of power.

Within Indigenous cultures, leadership posi ons were o en earned by a mixture of

personal characteris cs, achievements, and community support. Chiefs or other
leaders were selected based on their knowledge, courage, and ability to look a er
and protect their people. Leadership roles were not always passed down through
families, and people might become leaders only based on their abili es.

In Indigenous governance, decision-making o en rests on agreement and group

par cipa on. In order to create an agreement that supported the interests and
welfare of the en re community, important decisions were taken through debates
and arguments among community members. Elders, respected for their knowledge
and experience, were important in leading and guiding the society.
Indigenous government had a strong bond with the land and a duty to manage and
protect it. The sustainability and welfare of the community and the environment
were ensured as a result of the influence this connec on to the land had on
decision-making and handling of resource approaches.
Indigenous government structures varied greatly among different na ons and
areas. Each Indigenous society had par cular rituals, tradi ons, and prac ces that
impacted the way they were organized.

Crea ng a Wampum Belt

In creating a Wampum Belt that represents the differences in the ways of life of
Indigenous and settlers, I would choose to highlight the following
differences/variations in customs and relationships between individuals and the
land:

1. Relationship with the Land: The Indigenous peoples had a close spiritual bond
with the land and honored it with respect, believing it to be sacred. They
engaged in environmentally friendly farming, fishing, and hunting methods to
live in peace with the environment. The settlers, on the other hand, saw the
land as a resource to be used for profit. They carried out extensive mining,
agriculture, and deforestation while constantly disregarding the long-term
impacts on the environment.
Example: The Indigenous peoples' practice of sustainable agriculture and land
management, could be represented by a symbol of a person tending to a garden,
while the settlers' exploitation of resources could be represented by a symbol of a
person cutting down a tree or digging for minerals.

2. Social Structures: Indigenous societies had shared, cooperative social systems

where resources were shared, and decisions were made jointly. On the other
hand, settler societies were often hierarchical and self-centered, with power &
control in the hands of a small number of people.
Example: The Indigenous practice of decision-making through consensus and
communal sharing could be represented by a symbol of people sitting in a circle,
while the settlers' hierarchical structure could be represented by a symbol of a
person with a crown or a person standing above others.
3. Cultural Traditions: The oral traditions, storytelling of mythology, and religious
ceremonies of indigenous civilizations were incredibly rich and deeply
connected with their relationship to the land. European customs had an impact
on settler societies, thereby giving more importance to written records,
personal accomplishments, and centralized traditions.
Example: The Indigenous tradition of storytelling and oral history could be
represented by a symbol of a person speaking or a campfire, while the settlers'
emphasis on written records and individual achievements could be represented by
a symbol of a person writing or a book.

4. Concept of Ownership: Indigenous peoples regarded land ownership more in

community and together, with the idea that it belongs to everyone, both
present and future generations. However, Settlers introduced the concept of
private property and land ownership, leading to conflicts over land rights.
Example: The Indigenous concept of communal land ownership could be
represented by a symbol of people holding hands around a piece of land, while the
settlers' concept of private property could be represented by a symbol of a person
holding a title deed or a fence.

Therefore, according to the above examples, the Wampum Belt would serve as a
visual representation of the significant differences in mindset, vision, and values
between Indigenous peoples and settlers, by highlighting these variations in
customs and relationships among people and the land.

References
Belshaw, J. D. (2020). 2.4 The millennia before contact. In Canadian history: Pre-
confederation. BCcampus Open Publishing.
King, T., & Cardinal, T. (2010). The Wampum Belt Tells Us…. In Our story: Aboriginal
voices on Canada's past. Anchor Canada.