We have added this page to help educators and people who are beginning relationships with indigenous people.
There are four separate assays, different authors. Some may seem
repetitive which only demonstrates continuity between tribes.
"When I was invited to live in a Shoshone community
one of the first things I was taught was Indian protocol. Many years
have passed since then, and where ever I have traveled among the Native
Peoples I have found these protocols to be universal truths. There some
variations between tribes so I always make it a rule that when in doubt,
ask. Be humble and explain you are learning and want to be respectful.
Native people are always happy to teach you." - Phillip Gottfredson
Menu:
Cooperation
Group Harmony
Modesty
Patience
Generosity
Indifference to Ownership
Indifference to Saving
Indifference to Work Ethic
Moderation in Speech
Careful Listening
Careful Observation
Permissive Child Rearing
Indian Code of Ethics1. Each morning when you wake up and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life, for the good things the Creator has given you and others, and the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Give thanks for yesterday’s thoughts and actions and for the courage and strength to be a better person.
2. Respect. Respect means "to feel or show honor or esteem for someone or something; to consider the well-being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy." Showing respect is a basic law of life.
Ø Treat every person from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.
Ø Special respect should be given to elders, parents, teachers and community leaders.
Ø Don’t make anyone feel "put down" by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.
Ø Don’t touch anything that belongs to someone else (especially sacred objects) without permission or an understanding between you.
Ø Speak in a soft voice, especially when you are with elders, strangers, or others who should be especially respected.
Ø Never walk between people who are having a conversation.
Ø Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute the air or the soil. If others want to destroy our mother, rise up with wisdom to defend her.
Ø Show deep respect for the beliefs and religions of others.
Ø Listen with courtesy to what other say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless.
Ø Listen with your heart.
3. Respect the wisdom of the people in council. Once you give an idea to a council or a meeting, it no longer belongs to you.
4. Be truthful at all times and under all conditions.
5. Always treat your guests with honor and consideration. Give your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.
6. The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honor of one is the honor of all.
7. Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.
8. All the races and tribes in the world are like the different colored flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the creator they must all be respected.
9, To serve others, to be of some use to family, community, nation, or the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created.
10. Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms: in prayer, in dreams, in times of quite aloneness, and in the words and deeds of wise elders and friends.
Second
version author unknown
Native American Indian Protocol
Non-American Indian people have a poor record of developing relationships with First Nations communities. There may be many specific reasons for this but it boils down to the lack of understanding that protocols exist within First Nations. It should follow then that if you ware wanting to work with Native People that you need to make an honest effort to observe and understand their protocol.
American Indian people have traditions that are based on their respect for the Mother Earth. Understanding and respecting Native ways, the protocol that has been developed and in use for thousands of years, is the first step to being able to work together. Protocol is the way to have a meaningful conversation. This is true with every nation and is important all over the world. When proper protocol isn’t’ followed then minds become closed. Non-natives in Canada and the U.S. understand well their own protocol but don’t seem to realize that when attempting to work with Native people that the protocol of the Native people must also be addressed and respected. Non-native protocol is well understood by Native people because it is on TV, on radio, in the papers, in the churches, it is everywhere.
Native protocol is not difficult or complicated, it requires only common sense. Knowing that it exists is the way to begin the process. But there isn’t just "Indian" people in North America, there are many Nations. Each has a different language, different environment, and a different culture. Begin with a basic understanding of protocol and then realize that there are protocols unique to each nation. There is a common basic protocol that was amongst all tribes but if people aren’t even aware of this an they try to accomplish things with Native people and they don’t succeed, it is probably because they have botched the initial protocol. Watch, listen, learn and ask about the different ways of the different nations. Above all, be real, don’t be false, phony or condescending because if you are you will be spotted a mile away. As you learn these ways, give yourself time to learn and understand them. To say a people’s ways are wrong is arrogance and shows an attitude of cultural superiority. As we learn to respect other peoples ways, it helps teach us to respect our own ways more.
Here is just a few examples of some native protocol to be aware of:
Ø Native people feel it is impolite to stare at someone in the eyes.
Ø Never walk between people having a conversation
Ø Speak in a gentle voice.
Ø Show respect for the beliefs and traditions of others.
Ø Be truthful at all times and under all conditions.
Ø Native people take what you say literally, what you say is what you mean.
Ø Never have Alcohol around sacred objects as the energy of alcohol is disruptive to positive spiritual energies.
Ø Native people feel that spiritual guidance can come in any form.
Ø Traditional people feel that there is a spirit and life in all the things that have been made by the Creator.
Ø Most native names are considered sacred and should never be made fun of.
Ø Do not touch any type of native looking article without permission whether the person is wearing it or has it in their possession.
Ø You shouldn’t whistle at night as many tribes believe that it will bring bad spirits around.
Ø Prayer may be very important to them and there are different ways that people pray.
Ø If they talk about seeing spirits, this is part of the native belief system.
There are may other protocols that could be explained. This partial list is just a guide to help you to gain an understanding on some of the cultural differences to be aware of when working with native people. If you can keep an open mind to cultural differences then you will be able to observe and learn more as you work around native people.
Third advice:
First Nations Protocol- Working with First Nations
by Kakwirakeron and Dave Good
Non-Native environmentalists have a poor record of developing relationships with First Nations communities. There may be many specific reasons for this but it boils down to the lack of understanding that protocols exist within First Nations and that an honest effort must be made to observe them.
First Nation traditions have a foundation that respects Mother Earth and this is why a natural alliance is possible between Native and non-Native environmentalists. Many First Nation territories are the front-line of environmental crises. Understanding and respecting Native ways, the protocol that has been developed and in use for thousands of years, is the first step towards working together for the environment. Protocol is the way to have a meaningful conversation. This is true with every nation - it is important all over the world. Individuals in business, who don’t respect proper protocol, fail in their efforts before they get to the "meat of the issue" because people are turned off. Minds become closed. Non-natives in Canada and the U.S. understand well their own protocol but don’t seem to realize that the protocol needs of First Nations must be addressed. Non-native protocol is well understood by Native people because it is on TV, on radio, in the papers, in the churches, it is everywhere.
Native protocol is not difficult or complicated, it requires only commonsense. Knowing that it exists is the way to get to first base. But, there isn’t just "Indian" people in North America, there are many nations. Each has a different language, different environment, and a different culture. Begin with a basic understanding of protocol and then realize that there are protocols unique to the different nations. It is very basic, but if people aren’t even aware of it and they try to accomplish things with Native people and they don’t succeed, it is probably because they have botched the initial protocol. It takes experience of the people you want to talk to and develop a relationship with. This starts with respect for the ways of the community you are visiting. Watch, listen and learn about the different ways of different nations. And, be "real", don’t be false, if you are, you’ll be spotted a mile away.
Relationships that are possible are deep and fundamental. Helen Forsey offers these thoughts in her article, "Parallels and Alliances - A Non-Native Woman’s View", written in October, 1991:
"In building these alliances, we must insist on honestly addressing what is real in each of our lives, expressing and hearing each other’s true thoughts and feelings- the pain and anger, the guilt and mistrust, as well as the hope, the warmth and the joy. True respect cannot be built on a foundation of half-truths, of glossing over our differences and difficulties for the sake of some illusory harmony. Reality is too complex, and the urgency of the tasks at hand too pressing. To fight oppression we need all our strengths, all of our varied truths, all of our creativity, all our courage, all our caring. When we lovingly challenge a sister or brother on something they have said or done, it is because we want the connections among us to be strong and durable, and that can only happen if they are based on truth., Sometimes truths are all we have; if we share them with one another, with open hearts and minds, we can render the old divide-and-conquer tactics of oppression obsoulte."
The poor record of environmentalists in building alliances with First Nations, as often results from people either not bothering to consult with, or not even realizing that a local community would even have opinions and concerns on activities planned and undertaken. They never even knew to head to first base. This cultural tunnel-vision impairs the whole range and depth of possibilities of alliance building throughout whole social / environmental movement. Once headed in the general direction of first base bring your skills of an open heart and open mind. The first lessons of protocol will follow.
Lorraine Sinclair cautions:
"Environmentalists will often visit First Nation territories and start telling them what to do. Be careful of expectations. Communities are often going through the process of healing. Perhaps they are dealing with problems like alcohol and suicide and simply don’t have the extra time to drop what they are doing and act on your recommendations."
Respect the ways and realities of the community you visit. The foundation for an alliance is on sacred ground. One way to begin a conversation on first meeting is to offer a small gift. It is customary to wrap tobacco in a cloth, usually red, yellow, or white, and present it to the person you’re meeting. This isn’t necessary for everyone you meet; you’ll know when it is appropriate. Cedar, Sage and Sweet grass are other offering used when meeting. Remember also that there may be other appropriate gifts with other nations that this author is not aware of. Learn the ways of the people you meet. The gift is greatly valued when it’s not store- bought because you have truly a scarce gift in these modern times. It is important that these gifts were honestly, and naturally taken from Mother Earth. But, even if this isn’t possible, please make an attempt. Your efforts will be seen as an honest attempt to communicate.
Each nation has many examples of customary protocol and ceremonies that the honest communicator will learn. Among the Iroquois, when one visits someone else’s village or attends a council meeting, a special greeting is made to the host. The ceremony begins: "Where we come from we have Chiefs and they send greetings to your Chief; Where we come from we have Clan Mothers an they send greetings to your Clan Mothers; Where we come from we have men (warriors) and they send greetings to your men; Where we come from we have women and they send greetings to your women; Where we come from we have children and they send greetings to your children." Meetings begin by giving thanks to the sustainers of life - to Mother Earth, the four winds, the sun, the moon, the stars, and then back to the people present.
Always acknowledge the territory you are meeting in- this is true for all nations. Learn who’s territory it is before you arrive; if you know little about the culture, the people and their ways, then say so and request instruction. As you learn these ways don’t argue them. To say a people’s ways are wrong is arrogance an shows an attitude of cultural superiority.
The Canadian Environmental Network (CEN) learned this lesson in the fall of 1992, at their Annual General Assembly, held on Hecla Island in Manitoba. Indigenous representatives were forced to boycott the meeting because the CEN failed to consult local First Nations. Many indigenous representatives were greatly saddened because they truly wanted to participate at the meeting. If the local people had been consulted, the CEN would have discovered, in advance, that a controversy existed over the possibility that Hecla would become a National Park. Each Nation, each territory , has their own cultural identity, their own ceremonies and sacred objects. You may want a photograph of the beautiful arbor you’re in, or the dance you are seeing, for your memories, but ask first if it is okay. Don’t be afraid of your ignorance- there’ll be many specific examples, at least you are showing the willingness to learn.
Suppose you’ve invited First Nations representatives to your meeting. At the end of the meeting, you offer drinks because you want to socialize. You may have seriously compromised the presence of an Elder, the Bundle-carrier, the traditional person. The alcohol is a bad combination in their presence and their sacred objects. You may have forced them to undertake purification - their medicine is endangered.
This summer promises an historic event in alliance- building: The First Nations Environmental Network looks to formalize affiliation with the Canadian Environmental Network. The model proposed for the alliance is based on the Two-Row Wampum of the Iroquois Confederacy. It represents two canoes traveling side -by - side down the river of life as equals. This kind of agreement has been used for centuries to protect each nation’s sovereignty. The Two-Row Wampum signifies an agreement to work together as equal partners; one is not the subject of another. One canoe doesn’t steer the other. During storms and dangers each assists the other. The common objective shared is to protect the environment and save it for future generations.
Native people have a proven understanding of their relationship with nature. Their own security has been maintained through centuries of experience. In an Environmental Alliance, Natives can’t be left out or assumed ignorant of conservation. It is bitter irony that the colonizers, who have wreaked abuse for generations and now recognizing the problems, present themselves as the ones with the right answers.
