A value is a feeling or behaviour that a society considers important. For example, respect and sharing are values in many societies. Aboriginal people care about a number of values they have in common with other societies, such as honesty, love and respect. But they also have values that have been passed down to them by their ancestors, such as harmony with nature, which developed because of their lifestyles. For Aboriginal people, it is important to respect the land and pass the wealth on to future generations.
Sharing is still an important value for the Aboriginal people today. In the past, the animals they hunted were shared among those who needed food to ensure that everyone would live well. Therefore, sharing continues to be very important to them. Hospitality, welcoming people to your home with generosity, is another value for the Aboriginal people, and a good illustration of how sharing works in everyday life. Humour and freedom are also valued by the First Nations and the Inuit.