Page 56 - Walking_The_Red_Road

Aboriginal Worldviews
Influence Our Experiences
With Services
Interconnectedness, responsibility, and balance are key
When we were growing up, there was a different level of responsibility, where you had a sense of community, where you looked out for the people’s children, and there was an interconnected relationship within community. I look at my children, and that is my concern. When I look at them, because they are so... everything is on that level, that they are completely disconnected within, so the holistic perspective of spirit, emotions, physical – there is such a lack – a breakdown.
While we touched on many topics and issues throughout the project, like justice, mental health, civic engagement, and housing and homelessness, certain values—or worldviews—came through our many discussions, interviews and meetings.
Worldviews—the way people see and understand the world—are made up of many concepts such as how we understand nature, time, knowledge, and spirituality, etc. For example, when we held discussions with the community about justice, we learned that worldviews clearly influence how community members view and use restorative justice programs. When we spoke about services with the community, we learned how worldviews influenced choices between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal services.
In our community, three worldview concepts emerged continually: balance, interconnectedness and responsibility. It is important
to keep these values in mind to help frame and connect all of the material presented in this report.
Like threads woven together in cloth, the following views help strengthen the fabric of our community.
Teaching our children responsibility for their actions is important. It guides the choices we make and how we perceive program success.
Walking the Red Road | REPORT OF THE URBAN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES THRIVE PROJECT
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