Centring Indigenous Epistemologies: kihci-asotamâtowin la loi d’origine

In the discursive landscape of Indigenous legal studies, the Cree concept of kihci-asotamâtowin and Michif, la loi d’origine, emerges as a nucleus around which the complexities of community-centred jurisprudence revolve. Translated into English as “original law” or “original instruction,” the term invokes the cultural, spiritual, and philosophical depth that mere Euro-centric language and epistemologies translation cannot tether.

Within Cree and Michif knowledge systems, legalities extend beyond codified rules and regulations, encapsulating an all-encompassing blueprint for living harmoniously within a web of socio-environmental relationships, as well fostered through spiritual and historical continuity.

Indigenous Connect’s invocation of kihci-asotamâtowin and la loi d’origine signals a deep-seated reverence and dedication to these enduring legal canons. This nomenclature serves not merely as terminological preference but as an affirmation of the dimensions encompassed within Indigenous legal frameworks.

It stands in stark divergence from the compartmentalisation and positivism characteristic of Western legal tradition, embracing instead a recognition of the entwined existence of legal order, the cyclical flow of life, and the land as incontrovertible within Cree and Michif cultures.

In the context of Indigenous Connect’s mission to facilitate a conciliatory dialogue between Indigenous and settler legal paradigms, the strategic emphasis on kihci-asotamâtowin, and la loi d’origine takes on transformative significance. The organization’s engagement surpasses conventional legal advocacy, invoking a cultural mediation steeped in the nuanced appreciation of Indigenous legal praxis.

Lawyers, mediators, arbitrators and tribunal members collaborating under Indigenous Connect’s aegis are selected for their adeptness in both legal proficiency and intercultural acuity, ensuring representation that is not only legally rigorous but also culturally synchronous.

The encouragement of Indigenous law and jurisprudential practices within wider legal systems—advocated by Indigenous Connect—embarks on the decolonial venture of demystifying and reconceptualizing law’s societal role.

It vindicates the significance of Indigenous legal heritage and sponsors a legal methodology that is inclusive and culturally sentient, striving for righteous and equitable adjudication, particularly in light of the historical injustices faced by Indigenous communities on Treaty 6 and Métis Nation Homeland Region lands.

Indigenous Connect’s forum for exchange, edification, and collective endeavor is pivotal in cultivating an atmosphere of mutual respect and erudition between Indigenous and non-Indigenous jurists.

It cultivates opportunities for the intersectional sharing of knowledge and experiential wisdom, which stands as an integral mechanism in the genuine integration process of Indigenous and settler legal systems.

Ultimately, Indigenous Connect’s espousal of kihci-asotamâtowin and la loi d’origine epitomizes an endeavor to honor and weave Indigenous legal methodologies and epistemologies into the expanse of legal discourse and praxis of every day life.

It encapsulates the determination to bridge epistemological divides and nurture a just and inclusive legal milieu for Indigenous Peoples, respecting and sustaining their inherent legal philosophies and lifeways.