"In his bestselling book Dancing with a Ghost, Rupert Ross began his exploration of Aboriginal approaches to justice and the visions of life that shape them. Returning to the Teachings takes this exploration further still. During a three-year secondment with Justice Canada, Ross travelled from the Yukon to Cape Breton Island, examining—and experiencing—the widespread Aboriginal preference for “peacemaker justice.” In this remarkable book, he invites us to accompany him as he moves past the pain and suffering that grip so many communities and into the exceptional promise of individual, family and community healing that traditional teachings are now restoring to Aboriginal Canada. He shares his confusion, frustrations and delights as Elders and other teachers guide him, in their unique and often puzzling ways, into ancient visions of Creation and our role with it. Returning to the Teachings is about Aboriginal justice and much more, speaking not only to our minds, but also to our hearts and spirits. Above all, it stands as a search for the values and visions that give life its significance and that any justice system, Aboriginal or otherwise, must serve and respect." -- goodreads.com
The movement towards teaching and healing -- Healing inside the whirlwind of sexual abuse -- Digging for the roots of the healing vision -- Towards a fluid reality -- Watch your language -- The first step to reconnection -- The healing path has potholes too! -- The whirlpool vision of crime -- At the crossroads: responding to the abuse of power in small communities -- Choosing the healing path -- Getting started on the healing path -- And finally ... the starting point.
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