Newhouse (1998) – Magic and Joy: Traditional Aboriginal Views of Human Sexuality

1. How openly are sex and sexuality discussed in Aboriginal communities? What pressures are encouraging discussion?

Sex and sexuality are generally not discussed openly or frankly in most Aboriginal communities. However, there is increasing pressure to discuss these topics as Aboriginal people work toward healing from the difficulties and trauma of their recent past

2. What background does the author give about his personal history and Aboriginal history? Why does he share this history?

Newhouse grew up in the Six Nations of the Grand River community. His ancestors moved to Canada in 1784 after supporting the British during the American Revolutionary War. He explains that Aboriginal peoples had lived on the continent for centuries and had established systems of government long before European arrival.

He shares this history not to make others feel guilty, but to establish the historical and cultural context for understanding traditional Aboriginal perspectives on sexuality.

3. What tradition did the author grow up in? Was it Christian? What is the Code of Handsome Lake?

Newhouse grew up in the Handsome Lake tradition of the Iroquoian Longhouse, which was not originally Christian.

The Code of Handsome Lake, also called the Gaiiwio, was developed by a Seneca prophet in the late 18th century. It outlines moral behaviour in Iroquoian society and combines traditional Iroquoian teachings with Quaker influences. It has guided traditional Iroquoian communities for approximately 200 years.

How easy is it to identify traditional views of sexuality? Why?

It is difficult to identify traditional Aboriginal views of sexuality because centuries of contact with Europeans have resulted in cultural borrowing, adaptation, and the incorporation of Christian beliefs. These influences make it challenging to separate original Aboriginal teachings from ideas introduced through colonization

5. How does the author characterize government officials' views of Aboriginal sexual behaviour during the early 1990s? How does he connect this to historical sources?

Government officials believed Aboriginal people were engaging in too much sexual activity. They expressed concerns about high birth rates, sexually transmitted diseases, and the potential spread of HIV.

Newhouse compares these attitudes to early European explorers such as Amerigo Vespucci and Fernandez de Oviedo, who portrayed Aboriginal sexual behaviour as promiscuous and immoral.

He argues that European authorities had criticized Aboriginal sexuality for approximately 500 years, often because it differed from European Christian standards.

How did Aboriginal people in the University of Toronto study express their attitudes toward sex?

The study surveyed 658 Aboriginal people across Ontario and found that 57% described sex as magical.

Most participants considered sex enjoyable and pleasurable, while some also described it as spiritual. These findings reflected a generally positive attitude toward sexuality.

What is the Anishnabe explanation for why sex was introduced into the world?

According to Anishnabe teachings, men and women originally lived separately. The Creator wanted to increase the human population, so sex was made pleasurable to encourage men and women to come together and reproduce.

Sex was therefore understood as a gift from the Creator that humans were meant to enjoy.

How was sexuality traditionally related to spirituality?

Sexuality was considered deeply connected to spirituality. Newhouse explains that sexual activity allowed individuals to connect with their inner life force and, through that connection, with Creation itself.

The same spiritual force that gives humans life was believed to animate their sexuality. Therefore, sexuality was not simply physical but also a spiritual experience.

How did traditional Aboriginal societies view the roles of men and women?

Traditional Aboriginal societies had clearly defined gender roles. Men generally occupied public roles, while women were primarily responsible for private or domestic responsibilities.

However, different roles did not mean unequal roles. Neither gender was considered inherently superior or inferior. Both were expected to fulfill their responsibilities because each contributed to the proper functioning of society

What did traditional Aboriginal moral codes focus on? What did they not focus on? How did this affect sexual diversity?

Traditional Aboriginal moral codes emphasized maintaining proper relationships, mutual respect, balance, and harmony rather than simply prohibiting particular sexual behaviours.

This approach allowed many traditional societies to recognize and accept different forms of sexuality, including same-sex relationships.

For example, the Navajo recognized nadles, who occupied an important social and spiritual role. The Mojave recognized alyha and hwame, individuals who assumed cross-gender roles and could have same-sex relationships.

Although acceptance was not universal, many Aboriginal societies incorporated sexual diversity into their social structures.

Contrast the Aboriginal view of sexuality with the Christian view.

Traditional Aboriginal perspectives generally viewed sexuality as a pleasurable, spiritual gift from the Creator that should be respected and enjoyed.

In contrast, Newhouse describes the dominant Christian-influenced Western perspective as viewing sexuality as a powerful, potentially uncontrollable passion that must be regulated to prevent harm.

Christian traditions also associated sexuality with sin, shame, and guilt, while traditional Aboriginal teachings emphasized pleasure, spirituality, responsibility, and respect.

What was the function of the rites that boys and girls experienced at puberty?

Puberty rites and rituals were designed to teach young people about the power of their emerging sexuality and how to manage it responsibly.

These ceremonies helped individuals understand their duties and obligations as sexual beings. They emphasized respecting sexuality's power and avoiding using it to harm others.

How does the author conceptualize the framework he has developed?

Newhouse describes sexuality as a powerful gift that must be respected.

Although sexual expression is naturally pleasurable, it also carries responsibilities and obligations. Individuals must recognize its power and express their sexuality in ways that respect themselves and others.

Explain the Aboriginal idea of balance and how it relates to sexuality.

Traditional Aboriginal thought views human beings as consisting of four interconnected parts:

Physical body

Intellect or mind

Emotions

Spirit

A healthy individual maintains balance among all four, without allowing one to dominate.

Sexuality also involves all four dimensions. It is not simply a physical experience but also an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual one. Healthy sexuality requires recognizing and balancing each of these aspects.

What does it mean to operate respectfully with respect to sexuality? Consider both self and others.

Respecting oneself means recognizing the power of one's sexuality while ensuring that it does not become overwhelming or controlling.

Respecting others means acknowledging their sexuality and personal dignity without using one's own sexuality to overpower or harm them.

Overall, respectful sexuality involves responsibility, self-awareness, and consideration for others.

What has been the relationship between Western society and sex? How does this manifest in Christianity?

Newhouse describes Western society as having a conflicted relationship with sexuality, particularly because of the tension between the body and spirit.

In much Christian thought, the body is viewed as a temporary vessel for the spirit, and physical pleasure can be seen as distracting from spiritual development.

The biblical story of Adam and Eve contributes to associations between sexuality, shame, sin, and impurity. Newhouse argues that this creates a particularly problematic association between women's sexuality and sin.

In contrast, traditional Aboriginal teachings emphasize that experiencing both bodily pleasure and pain is necessary for spiritual development and balance.

Contrast the concept of sin with traditional Aboriginal spiritual thought when moral transgressions occur.

In Christianity, wrongdoing is commonly understood through the concept of sin.

In traditional Aboriginal spiritual thought, Newhouse explains that there is no equivalent concept of sin. When someone violates traditional teachings, they are understood as having failed to fully understand those teachings.

Rather than automatically being viewed as sinful, the individual is given an opportunity to learn and try again.

However, this did not mean that punishment was absent. Serious violations could result in consequences ranging from milder punishments to shunning, banishment, or even death

What lessons does the author believe can be drawn from the traditional Aboriginal spiritual world?

Newhouse identifies three important lessons:

Recognize sexuality as positive: People should acknowledge their sexual nature as a natural and positive part of being human.

Respect sexuality's power: Sexuality should be understood as a powerful gift that requires responsibility and respect.

Respect oneself and others: Individuals should express their sexuality in ways that honour their own well-being and the dignity of others.

Newhouse believes these traditional teachings can help people develop healthier, more respectful relationships with their sexuality in contemporary society.