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Indigenous Epistemologies, Worldviews and Theories of Power

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Indigenous Epistemologies, Worldviews and Theories of Power Turtle Island Journal of Indigenous Health Indigenous Epistemologies, Vol. 1(1), 14-25 © The Author(s) 2020 Worldviews and Theories of Power https://doi.org/10.33137/tijih.v1i1.34021 Dana Hickey1 The study that this paper is based on is a Master’s Thesis, the purpose of which is to understand Indigenous epistemologies of power from the standpoint of Indigenous par- ticipants who are originally from or currently living in the Sudbury and Manitoulin Island areas of Ontario, Canada. Indigenous research methods are privileged throughout, and key aspects of grounded theory are woven in to add support. Comparisons between the Indigenous epistemological concept of power and the Western theories of power of mainstream academia are made, as are relevant criticisms of Western epistemology. Fifteen Indigenous participants were interviewed. The central category that arose from the data was relationships. This central category ties the other main categories together which are: language, sacred sources of power, Indigenous women, abuse of power, and knowledge. The findings indicate that there are many forms and manifestations of power which are related to each other. The source of power is in the interrelatedness of ev- eryone to everything else that is known and unknown. Humility, harmony and balanced relationships produce the healthiest and most magnificent manifestations of power. This paper argues that understanding more about epistemologies of power will help illu- minate a pathway by which Indigenous Peoples and Canadians of settler ancestry can better understand one another, creating the shift in these relationships that is required in order to gather large-scale support for reconciliation and for ethical distribution of power resources in Canada. Keywords Power, Indigenous epistemology, Indigenous methodologies, Theories of power, Indigenous power, Indigenous philosophy, Indigenous relations, Indigenous knowledges Introduction (Hickey, 2019). This worldview underlies colonial doctrines of discovery and claims to settler-state land The research study shows that Western theories of title, and it justifies the oppression of Indigenous pop- power demonstrate a worldview that requires force ulations in colonial states around the world (Schabus, and/or coercion power to maintain order in society 2017). Furthermore, Western epistemology considers its methods superior to all others. Indigenous episte- Acknowledgements: Miigwetch to Ogimaa Kwe Linda Debassige mological knowledge, theory, policy, and law are mar- for being the community partner to this research as well as thesis ginalized and disregarded (Burrows, 2007; Deloria & committee member. Miigwetch to my thesis supervisor Dr. Kev- Wildcat, 2001; Hart, 2010; Walter & Aitken, 2019). in Fitzmaurice and to committee members Dr. Aurélie Lacassagne The Indigenous worldview of power developed in and Dr. Carrie Bourassa. 1Dana Hickey, Master of Indigenous Relations, Laurentian Univer- this research reflects the intelligent organizing power sity, Anishinaabe, Dokis First Nation, [email protected] of the universe toward balance and harmony. The re- Indigenous Epistemologies 15 search examines how differences in epistemological views besides the Western system. understandings of power between Indigenous People Epistemology is theory of how we come to and non-Indigenous people of settler-ancestry, in part, know things, and is often referred to as “the theory of explain the devastating health effects that unethical knowledge” (Proudfoot & Lacey, 2010, p. 118). It is distribution of power resources have had on Indige- an enquiry into the nature and grounds of knowledge nous People since colonization. (Proudfoot & Lacey, 2010). Epistemological ques- Adding Indigenous epistemologies to the ac- tions include: What is true and what is false? (Vidal, ademic conversation about power calls attention di- 2012). What are the sources of knowledge? What rectly to a contrast in worldviews. Indigenous Peo- can one know? How does one know if something is ple know that economic and social systems based true? (Chilisa, 2012). If you ask these questions to on Western epistemological logic are not sustainable a Western-trained scientist, you will get answers that (Deloria, 2003). Western economic and social sys- differ from those that you will receive from an An- tems result in poverty and other alarming social ineq- ishinaabe Elder who participated in this study. Even uities (Walter & Andersen, 2013). Reconciliation as the social scientist would prefer to make a statement a pathway to improved health for Indigenous People of truth based on facts that were proven scientifical- is required; however, misunderstandings on an epis- ly, or at least she would support whatever statement temological level are revealed as barriers. Learning she makes with the strongest factual evidence she has. more about the value of Indigenous epistemologies Epistemologically speaking, the Western-trained sci- will help bring about the understanding required to entist’s standard of proof is different than the Indig- address the misapprehensions between Indigenous enous Elder’s standard of proof. Indigenous Elders People and Canadians of settler ancestry, and cre- will tell you what they know from lived experience ate a respectful space for co-developed solutions to and from the knowledge conferred on them by their emerge. Ancestors. Much of the knowledge that is carried for- In partnership with the Indigenous communi- ward is accepted as truth because it has always been ty of M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island known to be true. I argue in this paper that both truths in Ontario, Canada, the study seeks to understand the are valid, as are the methodologies that are utilized to meaning of power, as a phenomenon, from the per- arrive at these truths. spective of 15 Indigenous participants. The value of the research is demonstrated by its applicability to the Theories of Power issue of problematic relations between Indigenous Power is an elusive concept; there are endless ways People and Canadians of settler ancestry. The journey to think about it. During my research on what is toward reconciliation is obstructed by the complexity known about power in Western academia, I encoun- of the issues. Using philosophy and epistemology, the tered many similar statements. Peter Digeser (1992) research aims to address the complexity and illumi- observes that the debate over power ranges across nate a pathway to reconciliation. political ideologies, methodologies, and disciplines. Robert A. Dahl (1957) remarked that the concept of On Epistemology power is as ancient and ubiquitous as any that social Canadians of settler ancestry see the world differently theory can boast. Indigenous scholar, Taiaiake Alfred than Indigenous People do, and the converse is also (2009), recognizes the existence of power in all the true. In the words of Indigenous scholar Linda Smith elements that make up the universe, and describes (2000), “We have a different epistemological tradition how Indigenous philosophies teach us to respect and that frames the way we see the world, the way we accommodate that power in all its varied forms. The organize ourselves in it, the questions we ask, and the literature review includes selected theories of power solutions we seek” (p. 230). Epistemological differ- that provide a well-rounded overview of the power ences underlie conflicts between Indigenous Peoples debate. and settler governments; however, little is widely Western philosophy was born in ancient known about epistemology. This includes the fact that Greece in the fifth and sixth centuries BCE. Socra- there are many epistemological systems and world- tes, Plato, and Aristotle are famous for pondering the Volume 1, Issue 1 16 Hickey (2020) philosophical questions of life and society during other in the state of nature (Hobbes, 1997). this period (McInery & Caponigri, 1963). We know John Locke was also interested in the social through Plato’s writings that Socrates believed that contract and the state of nature. For Locke, the peo- those who hold the power in society should be virtu- ple consent to be governed, but the people can also ous and properly prepared through philosophic edu- withdraw their consent, overthrow the ruling power, cation (Brooks, 2006). and set up a new government. Therefore, power is es- Plato echoed Socrates’ idea that people who sential to the running of a peaceful commonwealth; exercise power should be endowed with expertise in however, this power over, or force power, must be political governance and philosophy (Brooks, 2006). vigorously checked and controlled (Moseley, 2005). In the Republic at 426d, Plato argues that the right to This is Locke’s version of liberalism, wherein consti- hold power is not conferred by majority approval or tutionalism, limited government, and the right to life, by material wealth, but by expertise in statesmanship liberty, and property prevail (Locke, 2015). Locke’s (Grube, 1992). Socrates is the main character in the liberal philosophy was immensely influential and was Republic, and through him, Plato defends justice and embodied in the American Declaration of Indepen- describes the perfect city in which democracy is re- dence in 1776 (Dewey, 1963). jected in favour of rule by philosopher kings. Norbert Elias highlighted the functional in- In Book II of Politics, Aristotle critiques terdependence between people (Dunning & Hughes, Plato’s ideal state, thereby initiating the practice of 2013). Power is
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