1. No Dirty Energy Summit Western Mining Action Network Albuquerque, NM September 22-24, 2008 “Indigenous Perspectives: Commonalities, Relationship, Conservation and use of Natural Resources” David Begay, Ph.D. Policy Advisor, Dine’ Hataalii (Spiritual Healers) Association

2. Indigenous Worldviews (Peek through the lens of the indigenous minds) Commonalities and Differences Interrelationships of all things All the parts enfold the whole

3. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Separation of man and nature View of the universe as mechanical to be manipulated and controlled by man Dine’/ Indigenous Inseparable organic interconnection between man and nature forms harmonious whole View of universe as living system of interrelationships with man as an integral part of the whole

4. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Primarily linear thinking Planet resources are considered never-ending and commercially exploitable. Resources become economic, to be extracted for material gain Dine’/ Indigenous Primarily cyclical thinking Ecological planetary responsibility established through kinship and caretaking. Reciprocal responsibility, accommodation, no exploitation

5. Ecological Related Views Euro-American View of self as independent with right to manipulate nature Technologically and economically-oriented society based on self interest Dine’/ Indigenous View of self as interdependent with earth and universe, no right to manipulate nature Spiritually-oriented society based on community interest

6. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Competition and materialism are positive values of life Mass production- based on society with unlimited expansionistic goals Dine’/ Indigenous Sharing and give- away are positive values of life Society provides necessities for living- consume only what you need

7. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Rational, empirical faculties overrule intuitive faculties Intuitive and subconscious faculties are not valued in reductionistic methodology Dine’/ Indigenous Intuitive, spiritual faculties important Intuitive consciousness of the unity and interrelationships of all phenomena

8. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Political and economic logic and values guide social decisions Negation of value of consciousness, intuitive aspects, spirit; if used they are marginalized or hidden Dine’/ Indigenous Holistic, spiritual values can advance human growth and development to the furthest extent Consciousness, intuitive aspects, spirit are valued

9. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Library as repository of knowledge Value of objectivity research – subjectivity is devalued Dine’/ Indigenous Nature and elders are repository of knowledge (stories and songs) Value of participatory research – subjectivity and objectivity are both valued

10. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Emphasis on individuality Primarily quantitative Validation through pre- agreed upon set of criteria Dine’/ Indigenous Emphasis on value of collaboration Primarily qualitative Self-validation comes from individual intuitive, community recognition and approval, application to relevant way of life

11. Ecological Related Views Euro-American Scientific methods include hypothesis, experimentation and replication Reductionistic, breaking down to smallest denominator Separation of matter and spirit Dine’/ Indigenous The use of hypotheses, experimentation and replication is of lesser value Consciously aware of parts as they relate to the whole dynamic system Unity of matter and spirit

12. Some Things Should Be Left Alone Uranium mining – no knowledge of antidote and cure of diseases Sacrifice: land, water, air, community without verbal and/or written declaration – tremendous health risks

13. Matters to Consider Importance and awareness of indigenous perspectives Constructive dialogues should include indigenous perspectives

14. Mother Earth Thank you