Voices and Visions

The differences between Native cultures and Western cultures or nation-state cultures rooted in Western understandings present even more difficulties. Native voices include moral lifeways and understandings of human and non-human relations that do not conform to Western secular or religious views or understandings. The significant absence of common cultural ground, or common social political rules, sets the stage for significantly differing interpretations of history, and future possibilities.

The NMAI needs not only to assist in the renewal and representation of Native cultures and voices, but should also engage the non-indigenous world and peoples in a dialogue leading to greater mutual understanding that builds ground rules for consensual relations and that recognizes indigenous peoples as an integral part of the long-term future.

~ by tbarj on September 29, 2007.