Western vs Indigenous View of Retirement

The Western view of retirement has, for many years, been linear. You work to a specific age then “stop working”. Though popular, working to 60 or 65, stopping working, collecting a pension, sitting back, enjoying not having a boss, no worries or cares, do whatever crosses your mind, has been the practice of many. This has often been referred to as the ‘honeymoon period’ of retirement.

Unfortunately, as the honeymoon period winds down, many newly minted retirees report a feeling of disenchantment. Retirement no longer feels like an extended holiday. Time begins to weigh heavily on their shoulders. Playing golf five times a week begins to feel like a chore. Frustration and disappointment can mount as some retirees get caught in this vortex and are unable to get out.

Indigenous View of Retirement

The Indigenous view of retirement often diverges significantly from the Western model of “stopping work” at a specific age. Instead, retirement is frequently viewed as a continuous, circular journey that emphasizes ongoing community contribution, wisdom sharing, and a holistic approach to life stages.

The key aspects of the Indigenous perspective include:

· Elderhood over Retirement: The concept of “retirement” is often replaced by Elderhood, when individuals are valued for their wisdom, community service, and cultural knowledge rather than their productivity in a formal workplace.

· Continuous Contribution: In many Indigenous cultures, stopping work is not desired. Elders and seniors often continue to contribute through mentoring, storytelling, and supporting their families and communities until the end of their lives.

· Circular View of Life: Aging is often seen through the lens of the medicine wheel, which considers the four phases of life – childhood, youth, midlife, and old age – as part of a natural, interconnected circle.

· Intergenerational Responsibility: A key role for older adults is passing on cultural knowledge and traditions to the next generation, often described as transferring a “legacy”.

· Focus on Community and Land. The focus is frequently on maintaining connections to family, community and the land, rather than individual leisure or financial accumulation.

This broader, collective approach to retirement as practiced by Indigenous people, to me, is much more inclusive, rewarding and healthy than the Western view.

I believe there is a quiet revolution taking place, one which mirrors the Indigenous view of ageing and that is, every person has a role to play; having a chance to being part of something bigger than oneself and the passing on of life’s lessons.

The choice is yours. Reserve your place in the rocking chair or grab the ring of life. Be sedentary and without purpose or get involved and make a difference. It’s time to bury the old Western model and adopt the proven ways of our Indigenous neighbours.