Coming back full circle : embracing the old native American ways to save Mother Earth

Abstract

The Western World is realizing that the current perspective towards development is causing considerable damage to both our environment and society. This paradigm has failed to accomplish what it promised and therefore, we need to find other ways and practices to safeguard humanity. Understanding other indigenous cultures who have survived through the centuries and, learning about their methods could be one vital step forward for the current dominant society. However, one cannot deny that education plays an important role, especially in countries like Malta whose indigenous knowledge is being lost and replaced by other ways of thought. Therefore, combining these two aspects, that of learning about another way of life and using this data as an educational tool within our society, is what the study aims to do. Through the use of interviews, observations, informal conversations and other research tools, the researcher entered into the mind-set of the Native American way of life for insight on how we can utilize their indigenous knowledge and come to appreciate other ways of thought. The study has identified the ways and wisdom of Native Americans as a way forward for a sustainable and better future. The researcher also attempted to integrate the spirituality of the Native Indian in a local context by providing strategies and innovative models of thought to make the younger generation feel more responsible towards Mother Earth. From the sample studied, one is able to declare that Native Americans respect and honour Mother Earth and the western world can surely benefit if it acknowledges and implements their practices in our local policies.