Eco-Spirituality Talking Points

Some things I picked up on in the eco-spirituality section

• Importance of Language and Oral Traditions
• Indigenous knowledge seems to be passed down orally, which means the words chosen to express ideas become very important.  The combination of the chosen words and the style of oratory make the learning experience what it is.  Oral traditions are also more open to change than written traditions, which offers more flexibility.  There are instances where Indigenous people "other" themselves.  For example, page 23, "They will suffer."  Does this mean that the Indigenous people believe they will be exempt from the problems, since they didn't cause it?  
• Women in Power
• Mother Earth is referred to (26, 49), as is the women's council (27).  The word mother inspires respect for the vessel, which may be why society is so resistant of the idea all together.  The women's council ruled in Cherokee Nation during times of piece, while men ruled during times of war.  Giving power to women is "othered" to some extent in our society.  
• Role of Science vs. Indigenous Knowledge
• Science steals from Indigenous Knowledge through "biopiracy."  Why is this sort of action plagiarism in academia, but okay here?  
• Indigenous knowledge is used to make all decisions as a community.  How is it that Indigenous people can make decisions in this manner, while our Congress resorts to blatant lies to get what they desire?
• Community
• Idea of "home" and community are scattered throughout this chapter (ex, pg 23, 25).  Have we lost the idea of home?  We don't know where we live, we don't connect with our physical homes.   
• Capitalism's role in values of today's society
• Quote on page 33 - "What made traditional economies so radically different...sustainability vs growth," is a nice juxtaposition of the two differing economic theories.
• "You have to raise your own leaders," pg 24