Seven Grandfather Teachings

These teachings are focused on miyo-pimatisiwin (good life). These are values that as Cree people we use everyday to guide our decision making. When you are on the Ochapowace Community Tribunal it is paramount you make decisions following these principles. These are what you call our natural law. They are often unwritten - but they carry real weight in our ceremonial life.

Love - saki-to-win (phonetic pronunciation)

Love is the gift from the Eagle. Love is a force that is undeniable. With love all things are possible. It is everyone’s right ti have and experience it. In terms of the Medicine Wheel, love is the hub. It is symbolic of fire and the Creator. Man is incapable of understanding the Creator; so in turn her gave us a way to experience love and enjoy through our children.

Respect - mana-cih-ta-win

Respect is a gift from the Buffalo. In all life, respect is first and foremost. Respect oneself and respect will be bestowed (i.i treat your body with respect and it will look after itself; treat it with poison it will destroy itself.

Courage - soh-key-ih-ta-mo-win

The Bear carries courage. We seek strength and courage to face our greatest enemy-oneself. The bear will give us understanding to seek resolutions through spiritual intervention: hence, spiritual healing to deal with anger, pain, and ourselves.

Honesty- tap-we-win

Honesty is carried by the Sabe (Sasquatch). It is from within and not confused with truth (law). In reality there is no “ifs or buts”, there can only be honesty if one is to survive. In the wilderness, one either knows, or does not. Presently, man as a being is living on the edge, simply because he is not honest with himself. He does not want to believe that what he is taking in is toxic-alcohol and drugs. Furthermore, he is not honest with his environment, which supports him.

Wisdom - iy-ini-so-win

The beaver carries wisdom. Wisdom is not to be confused with knowledge. Wisdom is the gained experience and knowledge is to know the difference and accept responsibility and accountability. When one pollutes the water, one does not break a human law, but the law of nature, which states that to poison the water, is to destroy oneself.

Humility - ta-pah-te-tayim-to-mo-win

The wolf carries humility. Central to the wolf is the family pack. To ensure survival, the pack must be as one. In one’s life, much the same as the wolf, we need to understand humility. IN the wolf pack, each member understands his individual role and our individual lives humility becomes the factor, which allows us to ask for guidance humbly.

Truth - ta-pe-win

The Turtle carries truth. Truth is symbolic of law and principle. Since the beginning of time the turtle has not changed. The turtle has been chosen to be the bearer of truth and basic truth of the laws of nature have not changed. The turtle has been able to adapt to change without changing; thus he represents truth. He also represents time. His shell has thirteen big plates, symbolizing the thirteen moons in one year.

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