Law: Pre Contact

Although no formal written "law" existed, rules to live by were passed down by Elders through stories and legends. These outlined principles of behaviour and the proper relationship not only with each other, but also with the land and all living things. In the tight knit communities, social control was achieved largely through ridicule, ostracism, and shame. Elders were involved in teaching values, warning offenders, acting as mediators to reconcile parties in a dispute and in the application of appropriate sanctions to offenders.

© 2000 International Institute for Sustainable Development