Kanyini, Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ, and Indigenous Ontologies of Belonging

Research Focus

We explore the profound similarities between the Anangu concept of Kanyini from Australia and the Lakota philosophy of Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ from North America. Both traditions define belonging as a foundational reality where humans are inherently woven into a web of kinship with land, ancestors, and the more-than-human world. By comparing these geographically distant ontologies, we highlight a shared focus on relational accountability, unconditional care, and the ethical duty to maintain balance within all creation. We suggests that these recurring themes across Indigenous cultures offer vital alternatives to Western views of identity and ecology. We positions relationality as a central pillar of existence that provides deep insights into human flourishing and environmental stewardship.