ne
Certainly, none has examined the semantics of ownership using such psycholinguistic methods
as free-recall (e.g. Orasanu, Lee & Scribner, 1979; Thomas & Bolton, 1979), word sorting (e.g.
Miller, 1969; Rapoport & Fillenbaum, 1972; Takane, 1980; Wagener & Pohl, 1986), or scaled
similarity judgements. Although quantificational research cannot obviate criticisms of
ideological or cultural bias, it has the virtue of making methods, observations, and inferences
explicit and replicable.
In cross-cultural research, the cultures to be compared should be selected for specific
reasons, not just opportunistic availability (Faucheux, 1976). In the present study, availability
was a factor, as was the potential to contribute to political economic debate and to native land
claims. However, the Cree were selected for comparison with English-Canadians primarily
because these two groups represent societies which differ in the degree to which they value
interpersonal dominance. As will be discussed, the Cree are an egalitarian, unstratified people
in comparison to English-Canadians. As research comparison groups, the Cree and
English-Canadians have the added advantage of facing We same legal system of property law,
thus reducing the potency of property law as an explanation of any differences in property
concepts. The comparison of Cree and English-Canadians might also be considered a “strong”
test of an hypothesis of differences between egalitarian and stratified peoples since the two
groups have been in cultural contact for more than two centuries and now face the same legal
system. These conditions allow the opportunity for cultural convergence and a decrease in the
probability of finding differences. If owning does reflect interpersonal dominance, then
ownership for the Cree should have relatively less of a meaning of dominion and perhaps more
of a meaning of possession, acquisition, attachment, stewardship, or covetousness, if indeed
these characteristics of ownership are valid and universal.
The Cree are a sub-arctic, hunting-gathering, Algonkian people, residing primarily in
northern Quebec and Ontario. Further westward, Cree may be known as Ojicree or Plains Cree.
They have been the subject of numerous ethnographic studies.(5) The traditional Cree lifestyle
(5) For example, Brightman, 1981; Cox, 1970; Drage, 1982; Dunning, 1959; Hallowell, 1949; Hanks,
1982; Hoffman, 1961; Honigmann, 1948; 1953; 1956; 1958; 1968; 1981; Judd, 1982; Kehoe, 1980;
Knight, 1969; Landes, 1937; Molohon, 1982; Preston, 1975; Rogers, 1965; 1963; Rossignol,
1939: Scott. 1982: Skinner. 1911: Speck, 1915a.b: 1923: 1928; Stallcop, 1972; Turner, 1977.