Read the following text and then answer the question:
Can you think of situations where it would be right to break the law?
What You Do When No One Is Around
Laws let us know what is considered right and wrong by society, but should we rely on laws
and the consequences for breaking them to guide our behaviour? Aboriginal societies did not
traditionally rely on laws imposed by authority and punishments for breaking those laws to
guide people’s behaviour.
There is great diversity among Aboriginal peoples but there are some common elements.
Customary Aboriginal laws are not something that people are forced to obey or face punishment.
Customary laws are made to help people know and live by their community’s ideas about
duty and responsibility. The “good life” or a “good mind” often has the same meaning as law.
Customary Aboriginal law is all the social mechanisms that teach people from birth to death
how to live a good life. This idea was expressed by a Cree Elder when he compared Canadian
laws to Aboriginal law and asked “Why do your laws…speak only about what people should
do? Why don’t your laws speak to people about what they should be?” The Cree concept of
Miyo-wicetowin requires Cree peoples to conduct themselves in a way that creates good in all
relationships.
Every person must find for themselves the “good mind” that allows them to know Aboriginal
law and comply with it. Reaching the “good mind” requires an understanding of the wisdom
that the community has gained through the ages. Because this wisdom is not written down
anywhere, this knowledge is often gained from Elders. The role of Elders sometimes varies
but generally consists of helping people, individually and collectively, to gain knowledge of
the history, traditions, customs, values and beliefs of the community. They are respected for
their wisdom and experience and being able to advise people about what to do in difficult
situations.
In Aboriginal law there is a respect for individual independence. People are encouraged to
make their own decisions and accept responsibility for them even at an early age. Stories are
used because the listener is free to understand in their own way and act on it or not.
