Lla - Conscience
The essence of the ethical sphere is lla or conscience. Lla is defined as “outside, outdoors, universe, world, weather, awareness, consciousness, wits, (common) sense” (Leer, n.d., LL). It is in the final sphere, where the great spirit or Llam Sua resides, that the most complex ethics-based stories generate. While there are other values embedded within the core Alutiiq ethical values, such as honesty, cooperation, loyalty, or integrity, they all fit within these prioritized statements. Three of the fourteen core Alutiiq values that relate to the ethical sphere are:
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Ilakuisngukut (We favor sharing)
“Sharing: we welcome everyone” -
Sugtanartukut; Uqwarnartukut (We trust)
“Trust” -
Ling’aklluki (We Respect Them)
“Respect for self, others and our environment is inherent in all of these values”
The underlying question that these value statements answer is:
What principles determine the Alutiiq sense of right and wrong or morals?