Kincentric ecology: Indigenous perceptions of the human-nature relationship

Indigenous people view both themselves and nature as part of an extended ec ological family that shares ancestry and origins. It is an awareness that l ife in any environment is viable only when humans view the life surrounding them as kin. The kin, or relatives, include all the natural elements of an ecosystem. Indigenous people are affected by and, in turn, affect the life around them. The interactions that result from this "kincentric ecology" e nhance and preserve the ecosystem. Interactions are the commerce of ecosyst em functioning. Without human recognition of their role in the complexities of life in a place, the life suffers and loses its sustainability. Indigen ous cultural models of nature include humans as one aspect of the complexit y of life. A Raramuri example of iwigara will serve to enhance understandin g of the human-nature relationship that is necessary in order to fully comp rehend the distinct intricacies of kincentric ecology.