What is a world view?
A world view is the big picture of beliefs and values a person or group uses to make sense of life. It answers questions like: Where do we come from? How should we treat nature? What is a good life? Who are we responsible to?
Elements of a world view
- Land and nature: is nature a resource to use, or a relative to respect?
- Relationships: family, community, other beings.
- Knowledge: how we know things, for example by science, by experience, or from Elders and stories.
- Values: what matters most, such as sharing, respect, independence or success.
- Spirit and time: beliefs about the spiritual world and whether time moves in a line or in cycles.
World views shape daily life
World views show up in food, clothing, how decisions are made, how children are raised, how land is used, art, music, ceremony and language. Religions, philosophies and cultures each carry a world view.
Common ideas in many First Nations, Métis and Inuit world views
There is no single Indigenous world view, but many share some ideas:
- Interconnection: people, animals, plants, land, water and the spirit world are related.
- Respect for land: land is not just property; it gives identity, food, medicine and teaching.
- Reciprocity: take only what you need and give back, for example with thanks.
- Oral tradition: knowledge passes through stories, songs and teachings from Elders, who are respected knowledge keepers.
- Community and consensus: decisions are often reached by talking until the group agrees.
- Responsibility to the future: some nations teach thinking about how choices will affect people seven generations ahead.
- Cycles: seasons and life are often seen as circles, not straight lines.
Three distinct peoples
- First Nations: many nations (more than 600 communities) across the land, with dozens of languages, such as Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk and Dene.
- Métis: a distinct people who arose from First Nations and European families during the fur trade, with their own culture, the Michif language, fiddle music and the sash.
- Inuit: peoples of the Arctic, speaking Inuktut, with deep knowledge of ice, snow and sea animals.
Respectful words matter: use the name a people uses for itself, capitalise Indigenous, First Nations, Métis and Inuit, and avoid outdated terms.
Aspirations today, and researching respectfully
Aspirations
- Self-determination: the right to make decisions about their own communities, including self-government.
- Language revival: many languages are endangered; immersion schools and apps help children learn them.
- Land and water: settling land claims, protecting territory, safe drinking water for every community.
- Education: schools run by communities that teach both Indigenous knowledge and modern subjects.
- Health and well-being: healing from past harm, good health care, healthy communities.
- Reconciliation: honest truth about the past (such as residential schools) and fair relationships now. A 2015 national commission set out 94 Calls to Action.
Communicating your research
- Pick a fitting format: essay, slide show, poster, podcast, video or talk.
- Use correct, respectful terms and explain them.
- Include Indigenous voices: community websites, Elders' recorded teachings, Indigenous authors.
- Cite every source and ask permission before sharing someone's story.
- Reflect: What did I learn? Whose voice is missing? What would I do differently?
Try it
Choose one daily habit of your own family (food, a festival, how decisions are made). Write which of the five elements of a world view it shows. Then compare with one example from this lesson.
Key formulas and definitions
- World view = beliefs + values used to see the world
- Five elements: Land and nature, Relationships, Knowledge, Values, Spirit and time
- Shared ideas: interconnection, respect for land, reciprocity, oral tradition, community, future generations
- Three distinct peoples: First Nations, Métis, Inuit
- Aspirations: self-determination, language, land and water, education, health, reconciliation
Worked examples
1. A hunter takes only the animals the family needs and gives thanks. Which elements of a world view does this show?
Land and nature (respect for animals), values (reciprocity, not wasting) and spirit (giving thanks).
2. How is the Métis people different from First Nations?
Métis arose from First Nations and European families in the fur trade era and built their own culture, the Michif language, music and symbols. They are a distinct people, not a sub-group of First Nations.
3. Plan a respectful research presentation on Inuit language revival.
Question: How are Inuit communities reviving Inuktut? Sources: an Inuit organisation's website, an interview with a language teacher, a news report. Format: short video with captions. Terms: use Inuit and Inuktut correctly. Cite all sources. Reflect: what did I learn and which voices did I include?
Common mistakes
- Treating all Indigenous peoples as one group. First Nations, Métis and Inuit are distinct, with many nations and languages.
- Thinking world views are only about religion. They also cover land, relationships, knowledge and values.
- Describing Indigenous cultures only in the past tense. They are living cultures with goals today.
- Using only non-Indigenous sources. Good research includes Indigenous voices and cites them.