Cultural Awareness

Therapeutic Milieu
CAYW 124
Michael Burns
By
Braiden Willett
March 11, 2015

Introduction
There are so many cultures in the world that people dont know about. If a
question were to come across were someone asks someone about how many
cultures exist in the world they wouldnt be able to give a straight answer.
Humanity only seems to focus on those who fall under the nine major world
religions. For this assignment, it asks to explore a culture we are unfamiliar with in
order to increase our cultural awareness. After giving it some thought, considering
all cultures and sub cultures in the world, I chose to look into First Nation Culture
and explore the common beliefs, characteristics, means of identification, and
similarities and differences.
Description
Common Beliefs
First nation cultures believed in a higher power who they called The Great
Spirit. This Great Spirit had the power of all things such as trees, clouds, animals,
water and etc. They believed that the earth was the mother of all spirits. They also
believed that dreams that they would have during the night were the spirits
reaching out to them. First Nations people were taught, from the time they were
born, to respect and give thanks to all the animals, plants, and the land and water
that gave them all the things that they needed in order to stay alive. They really
appreciated all that was given to them even though some may see that as very little.
Characteristics
First nations culture were very much in to nature and what was given to
them by the Great Spirit, they would use to live. They believed that they could live
off of what the Great Spirit gave them. They used animal skins and feathers to
construct their clothing. Branches from trees were cut down to build their homes.
When they had a child and the mother needed to work would carry their babies on
their back inside a parka which would be commonly known as a hood now. As
stated on the first peoples of Canada website, the first nations people mostly lived
off of hunting and fishing. According to Arthur J. Ray, [] the aboriginal power
blocks in the lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River valley hinterland The
Huron confederacy and its Algonquian speaking allies, and the League of the Five
Nations (An Illustrated History Of Canadas Native People, p.60). The largest first
nation group were located near the St. Lawrence waterway are the Iroquois.

Means of Identification
There are many different identifications with first nations people. The first
nations people referred to people within their tribe as to what they were best at and
how they can bring that to the tribe. Some identifications include the following;
hunters, anglers, gatherers, elders, and doctors. Other identifications include
leather clothing made from animal skins, headdresses and other garments made of
feather. Women prepared the animal skins and used a smoke tanning process to
preserve the hides. The first nations people also invented the dream catcher. It was
originally made with bent willow in the shape of a ring, and webbing of sinew.
This item was made to sort dreams for their children, the stings would keep the bad
dreams were the holes of would keep the good ones.
Similarities and Differences
Some similarities include believing a higher power is in existence. The most
popular culture is Christianity and they believe in God which the First Nations
people refer to as The Great Spirit. Another similarity is that they sing and chant
about their past experiences, beliefs, and future. Some differences may include
where they hold their gatherings to pray to their spirits such as Christians tend to
worship in their hometown church were as the First nations people would worship
outdoors and around a fire.
Recommendations
There are plenty of places where a person can find out more about a culture
and even experience what it is like to be in the culture. Some places to look into
when someone would like to know more about a culture if it were their own or not
could take part and get involved with the following.
1- The Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee
The ICACC represents an ongoing partnership between the local Aboriginal
community and ICACC member Councils in the southern area of Melbourne. Their
goal is to achieve and enhance respect, recognition, reconciliation, equity health
and wellbeing for Aboriginal people. They aim to enhance and educate people
about the aboriginal Culture. You can sign up with your email to get notifications
on what is going on and when and the next event will be.
Website: https://icacc.wordpress.com/

2- Canadian Museum Of History

This museum has a variety of different exhibits. They have an exhibit about
the first nations people and actual weapons, clothing, and tools they would use
from way back then. This would be a great place to take a child or youth who is
wondering about a culture and the history behind it.
100 Laurier Street
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M8
Tel: 1-800-555-5621
3- Kingston Frontenac Public Library
I would recommend visiting the library. The library is a great place to go to
when in search of information that you cant find on the internet. The library has
hundreds of books that you are able to take down and look through and research
about anything. They have numerous books based on the First Nations People and
what their culture was like, what they wore for clothing, and how they went about
living every day.
130 Johnson St
Kingston, ON, K7L 1X8
(613) 549-8888

4- Multicultural Festival of Arts

The Kingston Multicultural Festival is organized by the Kingston
Multicultural Community. It features live music and dance performances, local
artist workshops, demonstrations, and childrens activities. Building on last years
success the cultural pavilions with food, crafts, language lessons, cultural
information and other activities are returning as well. This is a great place to bring
a child or youth interested about other cultures.
Confederation Park, Downtown Kingston
Sunday, September 8th; 11:30 am 5:30 pm

Conclusion
I can honestly say that I have learned a lot from this assignment. I was able
to look into a culture that I was not familiar with and research the culture in a
variety of ways. Most of findings were in the books I looked into about First
Nations People. I never would have known how similar our beliefs are and how
different they can really be. This experience has been wonderful and I look forward
to learning and expanding my mind about more cultures and sub-cultures.

References

Arthur J.R. (2011). An Illustrated History of Canadas Native People. McGillQueens University Press

Bruce Morrisson, R., Roderick Wilson, C. (2004). Native Peoples The Canadian
Experience. Oxford University Press.

Giannetta, J. (2002). Plains First Nations - spiritual beliefs, traditions, dances,

ceremonies. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2015, from
http://www.aitc.sk.ca/saskschools/firstnations/beliefs.html

Values and Beliefs. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2015, from

http://www.bcfnhs.org/content/values-and-beliefs

First Peoples Historical Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved March 31, 2015, from
http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_groups_overview.html