Individualism

Actually the Native political structure was very alien to Modern Age political systems including that of a dictator. Few people realize it, but modern democracy was largely influenced by the Political structure of the Iroquois Nation, as observed by Benjamin Franklin and others. They initially sold the French on the idea, however they eliminated the presence of women which were a key element of the Iroquois model.

But in regards to the Lakota (Sioux) which I have referred to, leadership was not something that anyone actually wanted---it was a lot of responsibility and was a duty to the people. People were not elected, nor did they take over. There was no concept of revolution or a coup de etat among Native people. Likewise there was no need to rule with an iron fist. People became leaders by how they acted selflessly for others. Soon everyone would follow them and they were the leader. On the other hand different people led at different times---this is because some people were better at leading during times of war than others. Some people were better during times of peace. Sometimes there would be a leader that was good at both times such as Sitting Bull. But it was all a matter of who the people followed when, and they could just as easily follow someone different and there was no hard feelings.

Selfless concern for others however was a key characteristic. When people saw someone that would do things for others no matter what their own problems were, or give to others, even when they had very little to nothing left over---they certainly took notice of this. There were no campaign games, no political promises, no attempts to be someone you are not----you were either a natural born leader that cared for others over your own needs or you weren't. Amazingly, there are still many people in the Lakota communities today who are just like that. I know two people in particular who would spend all their time doing for others. I am always amazed at how they can do so much for everyone in a single day, and yet take care of their own families. These people give far more to the community than anyone else can.

As far as certain individuals being chosen by the conscience of their elders, this to is a misguided concept in Native society. Westerners have a hard time understanding how medicine people are chosen, for example. Medicine people are chosen much like the leaders are, and sometimes a chief and a medicine man are the same people. Unlike in Western society, neither the chief nor the medicine man have an elite position---it is elite in terms of the respect others have for them, but they are there to serve the people, and this often means giving up everything they have to provide for someone else who is in need.

The last thing most people would want to be is a medicine man. You take on the ills and sadness of the people, to be able to work with the unseen forces of the universe and nature, you endure all kinds of difficult hardships to become humble and free of hate and bias and judgement. These hardships can be so difficult as to be life-threatening.

While heredity can play a part, no human selects who will be a medicine man or woman. There are visions and difficult things that people go through; they are often times not like others, and this is something they have to deal with as an adolescent. They tend to be overly-sensitive, and emphatically take on the feelings and difficulties of others. These people need the help of a medicine man who helps them to understand what is happening to them. That medicine man, or other people, may have already had visions about this person. Anyone in their right mind who really understands all this would not want to be a medicine man. (Of course there are all different kinds of medicine men---I am referring to one specific kind).

But there is no monopoly over the spiritual either. It is different from a Western concept of a priest. This is the significance of the vision quest. It is not reserved for certain people, nor the sun dance, and anyone can have visions and so forth. Native spirituality is still heavily based on the individual. Individuals can be given their own medicine songs and so forth, but there are times where they need help, or they do not understand, or they are ill, or their own human feelings simply get in the way, and in these cases they need someone who is humble enough, non-judgmental enough, and experienced enough to guide them, or even help them at a deeply spiritual level---this is why there are medicine men and women.

I wouldn't say that the Lakota exactly have a bias against science. They do have a bias against industrialization, pollution, mining---you know the usual stuff.

Wallace Black Elk was the son of Black Elk, and a powerful medicine man in his own right. Albert Einstein was good friends with him, and stated that he was the only real teacher he ever had. His grandson, Kari Black Elk, is the same kind of medicine man. He is a good friend of mine, and still very young, but you would be amazed at his knowledge of quantum physics, and the nature of reality. He only has a High School education, but his grandfather taught him too. He doesn't speak in scientific terms. but if you know your quantum physics it won't take you long to relate his spiritual talk to quantum physics.

Anyway---they just see a different side to reality. But the Lakota are not animals either----they are not ruled by nature. The Lakota virtues are testament to that: Humility, Perseverance, Respect, Honor, Love, Sacrifice, Truth, Compassion, Bravery, Fortitude, Generosity, and Wisdom.

 

I have now returned from military training and I am glad to see that the thread I created has blossomed into this beautiful discussion, thank you all for sharing and talking with your pieces!~ ^_^

I am no longer in the Navy due to my high school history and my problems handling stress.~ I still say that every one in the Navy is an individual, but I do not want to be in the military any more because even after Basic Training there is a great amount and severity of "control" through "rules" and such a thing stresses me out to no end.~

I am now a Freelancer: I do what ever I choose to, basically I do not 'have' nor 'want' a 'career' nor any kind of 'permanent' job, because I prefer to change my mind at any moment.~