Indigeneity, An Alternative Worldview: Four R's (Relationship, Responsibility, Reciprocity, Redistribution)
This article introduces you to the fundamental values underlying Indigenous cultures and pedagogies. Try to find those threads in the other accounts listed in this collection.
A result of the initial meetings in the1980s and early 1990s was the identification and articulation of four core values which cross generation, geography and tribe. We have come to call these four core values the Four R’s: Relationship, Responsibility, Reciprocity and Redistribution. Each of these values manifests itself in a core obligation in Indigenous societies.
Relationship is the kinship obligation, the profound sense that we human beings are related, not only to each other, but to all things, animals, plants, rocks—in fact, to the very stuff the stars are made of. This relationship is a kinship relationship. Everyone/everything is related to us as if they were our blood relatives.We, thus, live in a family that includes all creation, and everyone/everything in this extended family is valued and has a valued contribution to make. So, our societal task is to make sure that everyone feels included and feels that they can make their contribution to our common good. This is one reason why we value making decisions by consensus because it allows everyone to make a contribution.