Comparing an Indigenous and Western world view

1. The Aboriginal way of being Based on Pattel-Gray, A. (1997). Aboriginal Spirituality Past Present Future. Vatican City: Harpercollins Religious

2. Time Event orientation Natural events Life cycle events Enjoy events rather than arrive on time or organise an event Eg: sign language for European person Time orientation Calendar Diary Schedule Dividing up time Organise by time Time is linear

3. Energy focus Person orientation Relationships Valuing individuals Discussion consensus Task orientation Divide problems into jobs People valued for the job they do Goals, achievements, benchmarks

4. Holistic vsDichotomistic Holistic Look at the whole picture Reject carving up issues or phenomenon Broad concepts and understanding Not focused on mastery of knowledge Dichotomistic Divide problems into parts Teach different subjects Divide days up into segments Hold ‘packets’ of knowledge

5. Status vs Achievement Status People valued for who they are Based on skin-group and age Elders are given deep respect and reverence Fulfilment of spiritual responisbilties Life cycle Achievement Value determined by achievement Wealth ‘Usefulness’ Elderly people not given higher status Life cycle events do not confer status

6. Non-crisis vs crisis Non-Crisis Orientation Not future focus – present reality Optimistic ‘cross that bridge when we come to it’ Do not panic Crisis orientation Risk management Planning for potential problems Panic Future obsessed

7. Vulnerability Exposure of Vulnerability Honest about shortcomings Trusting of community Teasing and laughing in the face of embarrassment Concealment of vulnerability Play down embarrassment Hide shortcomings Pretend everything is perfect