Reflective Journal #1

PMAL103: Turtle Island, Canada, and the world

Name: Jaspreet Kaur

Section: AB

Professor Name: Richard E. Jaques

Date: 21st January 2024
 LA2 : Reflective Journal #1 Grade

Skraeling very thoroughly explains indigenous ways of knowing. The Indigenous way of knowing

represents the knowledge of the Indigenous people. It’s the information that has been passed down

from generation to generation regarding different teachings of life and the values they hold dear to

themselves. Indigenous people greatly value their connection and relationship to the Earth. They feel it is

their responsibility to protect the natural resources and consider it a blessing. They hold their values very

dear to them and stand by their teachings.

Indigenous people have a very special relationship with the land, they feel that they are

spiritually connected to the land. The Inuit people see land as much more than just a physical space.

“Indigenous people believe that land is all that we are, where the relationship between the land and the

cosmos — inclusive of the sky, sun, and stars — is crucial in shaping who we become. Essentially, what

we do on the land, and our relationship with it, is who we are” (Gehl, 2022). The story involving Angutii is

a perfect example of how deeply indigenous people respect the land and its resources. Angutii would use

the resources that were required and nothing more than that. This can be seen when Angutii tells the

Norsemen (Vikings) that they cannot take more than what they need from the land.

Indigenous people have an immense understanding of the flora and fauna around their lands.

They understand the behavioral patterns and habits of the animals very well and therefore, feel a strong

sense of connection. They believe that it is essential to coexist in peace with the animals because they

are not only valuable because of their ability to feed the people but also because they maintain the

ecological balance. “Given this interconnected relationship between animals and humans, Indigenous

Peoples were careful and respectful of the natural lifecycles of the animals they shared the Earth with -

they made efforts to not over-fish, over-hunt, or over-harvest. They hunted, fished, and collected what

was needed to sustain their families, tribes, or clans” (Indigenous Corporate Training, 2016). The tale
about the Raven and the Whale is a good example of the bond the indigenous people shared with their

prey.

Transfer of culture is a very important aspect of life for the indigenous people. In Skraeling’s

article, Kannujaq is a very important figure because she is the elder and acts as the mentor for the

younger of the community. It is her responsibility to impart her wisdom, knowledge, and teachings to the

newer generation. Preserving their knowledge and culture is an essential part of their continuity.

The key difference between the Indigenous way of knowing and the Western way of knowing is

that the indigenous people believe in holistic beliefs that have been passed down to them by previous

generations through experience. The Western way of knowing is through hard scientific facts. The

indigenous people have a system that is based on belief and spirituality rather than being skeptical and

requiring proof as the basis for everything.

 References

Gehl, L. (2022). Land Acknowledgment.

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/landacknowledgment

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND ANIMALS (2016).

https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/what-is-the-relationship-between-indigenous-peoples-

andanimals?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=119979163&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_b1vsq_y-

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PrOSajqUu5838DwqVDtyy1RTvqk&utm_content=119979909&utm_source=hs_email