Nihkitimahkinawow ekwa Nihkitimahkisin: Pity and Compassion in Cree Law

Abstract

In Nêhiyawêwin (Plains Cree language), kitimahkinawaw translates as “to takepity on someone”. Kitimahkinawaw describes the quality of a person’s actions when theyshow kindness, pity, and compassion towards others. Cree law includes a responsibilityto treat others with kitimahkinawaw, which encompasses a duty to care for the elderly,poor, homeless, and sick. Further, it requires us to treat people who are harmful withfairness and compassion. The purpose of kitimahkinawaw is to mitigate suffering,especially the struggles experienced by marginalized people. Kitimahkisin means “apitiful person”. Kitimahkisin includes a recognition that we are dependent uponpakwataskamik (the land), Kisemanito (Creator), and each other for our sustenance.Each person has a gift and we have a responsibility to use these gifts to benefit society,for we are all kitimahkisin. The author argues that kitimahkinawaw and kitimahkisin arelegal principles within the Cree legal order which guide relationships between the manyanimate beings within Cree epistemology. The author draws upon âtayôhkêwin (stories),Nêhiyawêwin, and Indigenous legal theory to illustrate the complexities and nuanceswithin the principles of kitimahkinawow and kitimahkisin. Kitimahkinawow andkitimahkisin are living laws which obtain meaning through the practice of caring for thepoor and marginalized.