Ways of Being in the World
An Introduction to Indigenous Philosophies of Turtle Island
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  • Print Publication Date: September 15, 2023
  • eBook Publication Date: August 15, 2023
  • ISBN: 9781554815715 / 1554815711
  • 300 pages; 6" x 9"

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Ways of Being in the World

An Introduction to Indigenous Philosophies of Turtle Island

  • Print Publication Date: September 15, 2023
  • eBook Publication Date: August 15, 2023
  • ISBN: 9781554815715 / 1554815711
  • 300 pages; 6" x 9"

Ways of Being in the World is an anthology of the Indigenous philosophical thought of communities across Turtle Island, offering readings on a variety of topics spanning many times and geographic locations. It was created especially to meet the needs of instructors who want to add Indigenous philosophy to their courses but are unsure where to begin—as well as for students, Indigenous or otherwise, who wish to broaden their horizons with materials not found in the typical philosophy course. This collection is an invitation to embark on a relationship with Indigenous peoples through the introduction of their philosophical thoughts.

Dedication & Acknowledgments
Preface

Introduction

  • Beginning in the Right Way
  • What is in a Name?
  • How to Use this Book
  • Cokv Kerretv Heret Os

PART I: THE INDIGENOUS PHILOSOPHIES OF TURTLE ISLAND

  • Introduction
  • 1.1 Vine Deloria, Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux), Power and Place: Indian Education in America, Chapter 3 “Power and Place Equal Personality”
  • 1.2 Donald L. Fixico (Shawnee, Sac & Fox, Muscogee and Seminole), The American Indian Mind in a Linear World, Chapter 3 “American Indian Circular Philosophy”
  • 1.3 Alejandro Santana (Mexican American), “Did the Aztecs Do Philosophy?

PART II: PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

  • Introduction
  • 2.1 Assorted Responses: Speeches and Letters
    • 2.1a 1567 Letter of Francisco de Montejo Xiu
    • 2.1b SHAKÓYE:WA:THAˀ, Red Jacket (Seneca), 1805 Speech on Religion
    • 2.1c Ma-chú-nu-zhe, Standing Bear (Ponca), 1896 Landmark Civil Rights Testimony
  • 2.2 Vine Deloria, Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux), God is Red, “The Problem of Creation” (excerpt)
  • 2.3 LaDuke, Winona (Ojibwe), “In the Time of Sacred Places” (excerpt)

PART III: METAPHYSICS

  • Introduction
  • 3.1 Viola Cordova (Jicarilla Apache), How It Is, “Coda: Living in a Sacred Universe”
  • 3.2 Robin Wall Kimmerer (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), Braiding Sweetgrass, “Skywoman Falling”
  • 3.3 Hilary N. Weaver (Lakota), “Indigenous Identity: What is it, and Who Really has it?”
  • 3.4 Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg), As we Have Always Done, “Endlessly Creating Our Indigenous Selves?”
  • 3.5 Boyer, Kurtis (Métis) “Where does agency come from?: Exploring Indigenous models of mind”

PART IV: EPISTEMOLOGY

  • Introduction
  • 4.1 Kyle Powys Whyte (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), “On the Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge as a Collaborative Concept: a Philosophical Study”
  • 4.2 Joel Alvarez (Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian), “Native American Epistemology Through Dreams”
  • 4.3 Paul Simard Smith (Métis), “The Epistemology of Deep Disagreement and Indigenous Oral Histories”

PART V: ETHICS

  • Introduction
  • 5.1 Joseph Len Miller (Muscogee), “What Do We Need to Know to Live in Harmony with Our Surroundings?”
  • 5.2 Jo-Ann Archibald, Q’um Q’um Xiiem (Stó:lo ̄ō / Soowahlie First Nation), “Indigenous Storytelling”
  • 5.3 Peter Irniq, Piita Taqtu Irniq (Inuit), “Healthy Community”

CLOSING

Andrea Sullivan-Clarke (Muskogee Nation of Oklahoma) is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Windsor.

  • • Broad yet Concise: Nineteen carefully-selected readings are provided, four of which are original to this anthology. These readings cover a range of topics in religion, epistemology, metaphysics and ethics.
  • • Indigenous Authorship: The editor of this book, and all of the included authors, are Indigenous, representing a diverse variety of communities and cultures.
  • • Original Artwork: The art used on the cover and interior is original to this book, created by Portia “Po” Chapman (Anishinaabe – Haudenosaunee).
  • • Guidance for Readers: The editor provides a general introduction to each topic, as well as biographical information on the authors, lists of key terms, questions for critical reflection, and recommendations for further research (including artwork, books, articles, poems, and films).
  • • Guidance for Instructors: Though the book’s readings and ideas are presented on their own terms and not translated to fit Western concepts, the book is structured so as to make evident the connections and distinctions between Western and Indigenous thought. The editor also provides guidance on how to engage respectfully with Indigenous ideas.

An unprotected companion website will provide links to additional resources, including articles, films, and artworks that engage with the book’s subject matter.

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