by Martin Brokenleg & Larry Brendtro
A Call to Restore Harmony in a Divided World
While we live in an era of unprecedented technology and wealth, our world grows increasingly dangerous and divided. For hundreds of thousands of years, humans evolved to thrive in Cultures of Respect—secure societies that meet the needs of both individuals and communities.
But for millennia, much of the world has been trapped in Cultures of Domination, where the powerful exploit the powerless, fostering conflict and violence.
Blending Indigenous wisdom and Western science, Brokenleg and Brendtro chart a path toward healing and restoring Cultures of Respect in today’s fractured world.
Key Insights from the Authors
- Humans are biologically wired to thrive in Cultures of Respect.
Secure societies meet both individual and collective needs. - Cultures of Domination lead to continual conflict and exploitation.
These are insecure societies marked by aggression and oppression.
Building on the Circle of Courage model—Belonging, Mastery, Independence, and Generosity—the authors explore how Re-Righting History through Indigenous knowledge can create a more just, compassionate world.
Endorsements
“With the rise of authoritarian governments and dominator thinking across the globe, this compact but compelling volume highlights the dangers and serves as a clarion call to action. Brokenleg and Brendtro masterfully weave cultural wisdom, history, and modern science to show that cooperation and kindness are humanity’s true legacy.”
— Howard Bath, PhD, Former Commissioner for Children, Northern Territory, Australia
“Children have always been held in the highest regard in Indian country, considered sacred with decisions made for seven generations ahead. This book brings together rich Native wisdom and modern science to guide us in living within Cultures of Respect.”
— Tamara Lunday, EdD, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Dakota Sioux
