Eldership and wisdom in Native conflict processing

Polly Walker

Abstract

Extract:

In Native American and Native Hawaiian societies, elders are an integral part of mediation and dispute resolution. By sharing their wisdom through such processes, Native elders sustain and rebuild the web of relationships that characterise indigenous societies. In the first section of this article, I describe Native American and Native Hawaiian elders’ roles of reinforcing traditional beliefs and values through peacemaking processes. These processes are designed to restore harmony and prevent the escalation of conflict, thus promoting sustainable, long term positive change. In the final section of this article, I contrast the Native elders’ role in peacemaking with Western mediation and dispute resolution.

Recommended Citation

Walker, Polly (2001) "Eldership and wisdom in Native conflict processing," ADR Bulletin: Vol. 3: No. 9, Article 1.
Available at: http://epublications.bond.edu.au/adr/vol3/iss9/1