Reading Little Bear’s various theories is a little like listening to Putin’s version of history. The words seem to make sense when they first hit you, but even the tiniest bit of scrutiny makes it clear that one is listening to a nonsensical mishmash. Indigenous people deserve to be listened to just as non-indigenous do. However, a speaker’s words should be judged on merit, and not on the race or ethnic background of the speaker
Thank you Michael for taking a stab at analyzing Leroy Little Bear's metaphysics. Although one is tempted to dismiss this as made up nonsense, Little Bear has had tremendous influence over Native American Studies at the University of Lethbridge and we are just beginning to understand the far reaching implications that this has had for studying indigenous-non-indigenous relations in Canada. If one wants to understand "western metaphysics", Greek philosophy is the starting point. The Blackfoot language, on the other hand, was pre-literate, and therefore would not have the concepts that Little Bear relies upon to discuss this subject. The language also had no numbers (only such concepts as one, few and many) and therefore the Blackfoot speaking tribes would not have had any understanding of physics.
“We are constantly lectured about how ‘white man’ needs to understand our relationship with ‘Mother Earth’, the way that aboriginals ‘inherently’ do. It will therefore come as a surprise to many that ‘Mother Earth’ as a concept in Canadian culture is European in origin and has virtually no history or connection with aboriginal culture or belief – and that’s according to aboriginal elders and scholars.”
“The challenge for contemporary humanism is to defend its universalist heritage against indigenous exceptionalism.” Any exceptionalism is racist claptrap. Universalism ought to transcend tribalism. Great article.
I did consider using 'racial exceptionalism' instead if 'indigenous' but because there is UNDRIP and it contradicts the UN Declaration of Human Rights, I decided it was better to single out indigenous exceptionalism.
Reading Little Bear’s various theories is a little like listening to Putin’s version of history. The words seem to make sense when they first hit you, but even the tiniest bit of scrutiny makes it clear that one is listening to a nonsensical mishmash. Indigenous people deserve to be listened to just as non-indigenous do. However, a speaker’s words should be judged on merit, and not on the race or ethnic background of the speaker
At this conference, Little Bear received a standing ovation. People love 'Nature's mystics,'
Thank you Michael for taking a stab at analyzing Leroy Little Bear's metaphysics. Although one is tempted to dismiss this as made up nonsense, Little Bear has had tremendous influence over Native American Studies at the University of Lethbridge and we are just beginning to understand the far reaching implications that this has had for studying indigenous-non-indigenous relations in Canada. If one wants to understand "western metaphysics", Greek philosophy is the starting point. The Blackfoot language, on the other hand, was pre-literate, and therefore would not have the concepts that Little Bear relies upon to discuss this subject. The language also had no numbers (only such concepts as one, few and many) and therefore the Blackfoot speaking tribes would not have had any understanding of physics.
“We are constantly lectured about how ‘white man’ needs to understand our relationship with ‘Mother Earth’, the way that aboriginals ‘inherently’ do. It will therefore come as a surprise to many that ‘Mother Earth’ as a concept in Canadian culture is European in origin and has virtually no history or connection with aboriginal culture or belief – and that’s according to aboriginal elders and scholars.”
https://endracebasedlaw.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/mother-earth/
Thanks for the link. I hear that the Mother Earth idea was pinched fromnon-aboriginal pop culture.
“The challenge for contemporary humanism is to defend its universalist heritage against indigenous exceptionalism.” Any exceptionalism is racist claptrap. Universalism ought to transcend tribalism. Great article.
I did consider using 'racial exceptionalism' instead if 'indigenous' but because there is UNDRIP and it contradicts the UN Declaration of Human Rights, I decided it was better to single out indigenous exceptionalism.
I am afraid Little Bear has created a big black hole for many of us who don't have a clue as to what he is talking about.
"In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way." -Yoda