The Meaning of Nature According to Indigenous Peoples
According to Grim & Tucker (2014) Indigenous Peoples recognize sacredness in plants and animals that provide food and health for their bodies and soul. Therefore, their wellbeing and identity are profoundly embodied in rivers, mountains, and sacred sites which is why they maintain a constant relationship with nature (Grim & Tucker, 2014). This crucial connection with nature is expressed through rituals and remembered through stories (Grim & Tucker, 2014). For instance, the Salish Peoples practice the “Winter Dance” ritual where songs are sung in order to give honor to the plants and animals that have been provided to humans as food (Grim & Tucker, 2014).
It is important for Aboriginal Peoples to thank and respect nature every day for its gifts because without Mother Nature’s gifts and love their existence would be compromised (Forbes, 2001). According to Forbes (2001), for Native Americans humans and nature are always connected because animals and plants are considered uncles, grandfathers, and brothers who have taught humans how to live. Therefore the spirits of ancestors flow through nature as well. …show more content…
It is just like a sucking baby on a mother…” (285).
Aboriginal Peoples also understand that the same way that humans depend on nature, nature depends on humans and this can be seen in the way that trees breathe the breath of humans and humans breathe the breath of trees (Forbes, 2001). Taylor (2010) emphasizes on these ideas by
According to Grim & Tucker (2014) Indigenous Peoples recognize sacredness in plants and animals that provide food and health for their bodies and soul. Therefore, their wellbeing and identity are profoundly embodied in rivers, mountains, and sacred sites which is why they maintain a constant relationship with nature (Grim & Tucker, 2014). This crucial connection with nature is expressed through rituals and remembered through stories (Grim & Tucker, 2014). For instance, the Salish Peoples practice the “Winter Dance” ritual where songs are sung in order to give honor to the plants and animals that have been provided to humans as food (Grim & Tucker, 2014).
It is important for Aboriginal Peoples to thank and respect nature every day for its gifts because without Mother Nature’s gifts and love their existence would be compromised (Forbes, 2001). According to Forbes (2001), for Native Americans humans and nature are always connected because animals and plants are considered uncles, grandfathers, and brothers who have taught humans how to live. Therefore the spirits of ancestors flow through nature as well. …show more content…
It is just like a sucking baby on a mother…” (285).
Aboriginal Peoples also understand that the same way that humans depend on nature, nature depends on humans and this can be seen in the way that trees breathe the breath of humans and humans breathe the breath of trees (Forbes, 2001). Taylor (2010) emphasizes on these ideas by