Indigenous Organizations and Indigenous Values - Report Example

INDIGENOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIGENOUS VALUES Student Name: Institution: Date: Introduction Indigenous organizations are organizations that are formed with the main aim of taking care of the needs of the indigenous people. Indigenous communities, also known as the native communities or the first communities, are the communities that have historical stability with other communities that invade or colonize their territories (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2014). Such communities consider themselves different from the other communities in the areas where they live. The indigenous communities’ cultures and values differ from those of the other communities. It is estimated that there are approximately 370 million indigenous people in the world with many of them occupying Asia. These communities are characterized by; smaller populations relative to the dominant cultures in the areas where they are found, language, cultural traditions that are practiced and a land or territory in which they are tied to. Examples of the indigenous communities are; the Aboriginals and the Torres Islanders in Australia, the red Indians in America and the Inuit in the Arctic. The number of the natives in the world is large. However, since they differ from other members of the society, they have been marginalized for a long time, hence the emergence of the indigenous organizations. In Latin America where the population of the indigenous communities is high, these organizations emerged from the politics of identity in the last quarter of the twentieth century. During this period, there was the need for the native communities, which had suffered exclusion for a long time to gain political recognition for cultural rights and have access to land and economic resources. Today, such organizations still continue to advocate for the rights of these groups of people. In some countries, the indigenous organizations act as the links between the natives and the government. Therefore, the organizations have to work in the best interest of the native communities and ensure that the natives have a sense of belonging for their operations to be successful. Oxfam Australia One of the organizations that deals with advocacy issues of the indigenous people in Australia is Oxfam Australia. The organization is an international community based no- profit making organization which is independent and secular. The organization is part of the Oxfam International, which comprise of 13 organizations formed with the aim of fighting poverty and injustice among the global communities. The areas of operation of Oxfam Australia are; helping communities to change and challenge the structural causes of poverty, advocating for sustainability among the countries in which they operate, capacity building and empowering individuals to take charge of their lives and ensuring that communities live in a better and fair world. In dealing with the local communities, Oxfam Australia strives to; work through and with the local communities in responsive, inclusive and cooperative ways to help the local communities achieve their goals, encourage ongoing learning and appreciating and embracing differences and diversity among the communities with which it works. The organization has a vision of a fair world to all people where they have the ability to control their lives, achieve their basic rights and promote environmental sustainability. The mission of the organization is to increase the number of people with sustainable livelihoods, access to social services, enabling people to have effective voices in decision making and ensuring the safety of individuals from conflict and disaster. Moreover, the organization engages in partnerships with other national and international organizations to ensure that the indigenous and marginalized groups of people have control over their development, can exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms and achieve equal treatment in the country while ensuring that the environment remains healthy and sustainable. Incorporation of Indigenous Values in Operation Oxfam Australia deals particularly with the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders found in various states within the country. The choice of the natives stems from the realization of the high poverty levels among the native even though their culture is important to the country. While working with the Australian aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, the organization tries to achieve its goals which include; improved access to social services among the natives, economic justice, gender justice and the protection of their basic rights. Like any other organization working with the indigenous groups or communities, Oxfam Australia has the mandate of incorporating the values of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginals within its operations. Although these groups have different cultural practices, they have several similar cultural values that are incorporated into the organization’s operations to increase the acceptance of the organization among the communities. One such value of the Australian natives that forms the basis of the functioning Oxfam International is respect. Oxfam Australia respects the rights of the natives to own and have control over their cultural heritage. Additionally, the organization respects their rights and interests following the realization that the natives value respect. Consequently, before making any decisions that affect the natives either positively or negatively, the organization consults with the relevant cultural authorities followed by approval and seeking of permission. Another core value of the indigenous Australians that is embedded on the operations of Oxfam is survival and protection. This core value involves the determination of the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islanders in ensuring protection of the culture from erosion by the external forces. While working with these groups, the organization ensures that it does everything in its capacity to help in the protection of the culture of the natives. Even when conducting research, the organization ensures that the culture and uniqueness of the natives remain intact (Liamputtong, 2008). Additionally, the organization takes stern actions against discrimination of the natives. The other values of the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders that is rooted in the operation of Oxfam Australia is secrecy and confidentiality. The organization realizes that the native Australians are reserved people. Before publishing a document, for instance, the organization has to consult with the relevant people and the native groups to find out if the information is restricted under the customary laws of the natives. Additionally, personal privacy is respected when dealing with the Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. The other native values that are incorporated in the operation of the organization are; reciprocity, spirit and integrity, equality and responsibility. The Center for World Indigenous Studies The Center for World Indigenous Studies (CWIS) is an independent international education and research organization founded with the aim of understanding and appreciating the ideas and the knowledge of the different indigenous communities in the world as well as the prevailing social, economic and political atmospheres in the indigenous countries (Engle, 2010). The center advocates for better understanding of the indigenous communities through publications that are written by authors from the fourth world. This way, the organization enables people to have a better understanding of the needs and the cultures of the natives in various countries of the world. The main goal of the organization is to ensure the establishment of cooperation among various countries of the world while democratizing the international relations between countries as well as between countries and states. The organization was founded by Dr. Rudolf and Chief George Manuel in 1984 following requests by the United States tribal governments and the Global Council for Indigenous Peoples for a document center. The organization has voluntary contributors worldwide who help in conducting research, education and conflict resolution programs that are of benefit to the indigenous societies in various parts of the world. Like Oxfam, the CWIS incorporates the values of the indigenous communities in its operations in the different parts of the world. One of the values of the indigenous communities that are incorporated in the operation of the organization is the protection of the culture of the indigenous communities. The organization understands the value of cultural heritage for in the indigenous communities, which distinguishes them from the modern societies. Therefore, in conducting research, which is the main area of its operation, the organization strives to ensure protection of these cultural practices from erosion. Another value of the included in the operation of the organization is the appreciation of the traditional ways of doing things among the indigenous communities. The organization realizes the effectiveness of the indigenous practices such as the use of traditional medicine. Through its health policy for instance, the organization has a traditional medicine project, which draws from medicinal practices of the indigenous communities with the aim of helping people understand the role of traditional medicine in stabilizing and nurturing the human society. The other indigenous values that help in the operation of the organization are; respect, equality, and spiritual values. Role of National Politics and Public Policy The Australian national politics and public policies play an important role in shaping the indigenous organizations within the country. Policies, for instance, require that the indigenous organizations are operated in accordance to the laws of the land. The National Aboriginal and Torres Islander Health Plan for instance, regulates the ways through which the indigenous organizations such as Oxfam can advocate for health access issues among the natives by outlining the necessary procedures to be followed (Australian Department of Health). Since these organizations often act as links between the Australian governments, there is the need for continual support following the development of helpful policies to help in the continuity of these minority groups. The national politics in Australia also play a significant role in the shaping of these organizations. With the increased need for the participation of the native communities in developmental programs to help in poverty alleviation among the natives, the Australian politics seem to encourage the existence of the indigenous organization (Costa, 2010). This follows the realization that the role played by the organizations in contributing to natural development is significant. Conclusion With regards to the above discussion, it is clear that indigenous people are the native inhabitants of many nations of the world with several years of experience in co-existing in the natural world, yet the most disadvantaged in terms of access to basic services, ability to exercise their rights and gender injustices. The indigenous organizations come in to help in closing the gap that exists between the native communities and the modern societies. This helps in solving historical injustices such as marginalization of the native communities, discrimination by the modern societies as well as the lack of access to basic services. However, in closing the gap, the organizations must have detailed understanding of the cultural practices of such communities so as to effectively fit within them. Additionally, understanding the communities’ cultures and traditional practices places the organizations in better positions for acceptance, thus enabling their successful operation within the native communities. References Australian Department of Health (2015). Implementation Plan for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013-2023. Canberra, Australia. Costa, R. D. (2012). A higher authority: Indigenous transnationalism and Australia. Sydney: UNSW Press. Dunbar-Ortiz, R. (2014). An indigenous peoples' history of the United States. Boston: Beacon Press. Engle, K. (2010). The elusive promise of indigenous development: Rights, culture, strategy. Durham [NC: Duke University Press. Liamputtong, P. (2008). Doing cross-cultural research: Ethical and methodological perspectives. Dordrecht: Springer. Read More

Oxfam Australia One of the organizations that deals with advocacy issues of the indigenous people in Australia is Oxfam Australia. The organization is an international community based no- profit making organization which is independent and secular. The organization is part of the Oxfam International, which comprise of 13 organizations formed with the aim of fighting poverty and injustice among the global communities. The areas of operation of Oxfam Australia are; helping communities to change and challenge the structural causes of poverty, advocating for sustainability among the countries in which they operate, capacity building and empowering individuals to take charge of their lives and ensuring that communities live in a better and fair world.

In dealing with the local communities, Oxfam Australia strives to; work through and with the local communities in responsive, inclusive and cooperative ways to help the local communities achieve their goals, encourage ongoing learning and appreciating and embracing differences and diversity among the communities with which it works. The organization has a vision of a fair world to all people where they have the ability to control their lives, achieve their basic rights and promote environmental sustainability.

The mission of the organization is to increase the number of people with sustainable livelihoods, access to social services, enabling people to have effective voices in decision making and ensuring the safety of individuals from conflict and disaster. Moreover, the organization engages in partnerships with other national and international organizations to ensure that the indigenous and marginalized groups of people have control over their development, can exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms and achieve equal treatment in the country while ensuring that the environment remains healthy and sustainable.

Incorporation of Indigenous Values in Operation Oxfam Australia deals particularly with the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders found in various states within the country. The choice of the natives stems from the realization of the high poverty levels among the native even though their culture is important to the country. While working with the Australian aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders, the organization tries to achieve its goals which include; improved access to social services among the natives, economic justice, gender justice and the protection of their basic rights.

Like any other organization working with the indigenous groups or communities, Oxfam Australia has the mandate of incorporating the values of the Torres Strait Islanders and the Aboriginals within its operations. Although these groups have different cultural practices, they have several similar cultural values that are incorporated into the organization’s operations to increase the acceptance of the organization among the communities. One such value of the Australian natives that forms the basis of the functioning Oxfam International is respect.

Oxfam Australia respects the rights of the natives to own and have control over their cultural heritage. Additionally, the organization respects their rights and interests following the realization that the natives value respect. Consequently, before making any decisions that affect the natives either positively or negatively, the organization consults with the relevant cultural authorities followed by approval and seeking of permission. Another core value of the indigenous Australians that is embedded on the operations of Oxfam is survival and protection.

This core value involves the determination of the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islanders in ensuring protection of the culture from erosion by the external forces. While working with these groups, the organization ensures that it does everything in its capacity to help in the protection of the culture of the natives. Even when conducting research, the organization ensures that the culture and uniqueness of the natives remain intact (Liamputtong, 2008).

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