this study is an examination of cross cultural philosophical discourse between north american indigenous cultures and the dominant western culture. the methodological approaches used in this study are modeled after the work of michael m. pomedli, thomas w. overholt and j. baird callicott, and george lakoff and mark johnson. a case study of the concept of autonomy is used in exploring the possibility of such discourse. this case study is particularly relevant in light of indigenous peoples’ continuing struggles for self-government and appropriate education, as well as their attempts to re-assert their unique cultural perspectives. examples of both western and indigenous uses of the concept of autonomy are compared and contrasted in demonstrating that, although there are differences in their uses of this concept, they can be rendered intelligible one to another. cross-cultural dialogue is indeed possible.