The notion of "equality" was likely to exist among Indigenous Peoples because they believed in the concept of "gender fluidity." In the Iroquois legend of creation, it is evident that the female gender had a significant impact on the creation of the world. The woman in the legend thought she would create a being like herself, indicating that she saw her own qualities and abilities as valuable and worthy of replication. This suggests that the Indigenous Peoples recognized the inherent worth and capabilities of both genders, without assigning one gender a higher status than the other.
Furthermore, the woman in the legend is described as actively involved in the process of creation. She is shown to be deep in thought as she sat near the water, emphasizing her role as a conscious participant in the act of creation. This suggests that the Indigenous Peoples valued the contributions and perspectives of both genders, recognizing that each had unique insights and abilities to contribute to the world.
The concept of "gender fluidity" among Indigenous Peoples likely contributed to the existence of equality. By acknowledging that gender is not fixed or rigid, but rather can be fluid and ever-changing, the Indigenous Peoples recognized that individuals should not be judged or limited based on their gender. This understanding of gender allowed for a more inclusive and equitable society, where individuals were valued for their individual characteristics and contributions rather than being confined by societal expectations based on their gender.
Therefore, the notion of "equality" likely existed among Indigenous Peoples because they embraced the concept of "gender fluidity" and recognized the value and abilities of both genders, as demonstrated in the Iroquois legend of creation.
Directions: After reading through the Iroquois legend of creation, answer the following questions using the evidence-citing strategy, I.C.E. (Identify/Cite/Explain). Answers should forever and always be developed in complete sentences.
Building off of your response to question one (the female gender had a significant impact on the creation of the world. Firstly, it states, "The woman thought she would create a being like herself." This citation shows that the female gender played a central role in deciding to create another being. Additionally, it is mentioned, "The woman sat near the water, still thinking." This citation demonstrates that the female gender was actively involved in the process of creation, as she was deep in thought as she sat near the water.), define why the notion of “equality” was likely to exist among Indigenous Peoples and equate that to their commonly-held notion of “gender fluidity”
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