Class 5B & The Grandfather Teachings

The Grandfather Teachings                                                                Written by: Class 5B Blog Team
Over the past month, students in grade 5 have been learning about the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe People. These are the Indigenous People that share the land we live on. One of the main things we’ve learned about are the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

Image credit: Native Reflections

What are they and what do they mean to us?

1. Respect: Respect means to us to make sure everyone is treated the same and people should do less talking than listening and give everybody a chance.
2. Love: Love means to us that you treat people nicely and even if you do not know the person you treat them well.
3. Wisdom: Wisdom means to us that you have experience, knowledge, good judgement and you are wise.
4. Courage: Courage means to us that you have the bravery and are able the go into situations that may not be ideal.
5. Humility: Humility means to us that you are modest; there is a difference between being proud of yourself and bragging. We are all equal; no one is any better or any worse.
6. Truth: Truth means to us that you that you are not only true to others but you are also true to yourself.
7. Honesty: Honesty means to us that you never lie to others and you do not lie to yourself.

What we have learned about these teachings?

The story: According to an oral traditional story, the Seven Grandfather Teachings were given to the Anishinaabe many years ago. The seven grandfathers learned that the Anishinaabe people were not living in peace with each other or their surroundings. The grandfathers each had a teaching that they taught  the people. The  became known as the seven teachings. Each teaching has a spirit animal. These are the teachings and their spirit animals.

Wisdom= Beaver
Love = Eagle
Respect = Buffalo
Courage = Bear
Honesty =  Sabe
Humility = Wolves
Truth = Turtle

Each teaching must be used with the rest, like you can’t have Wisdom without Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Humility and Truth. To leave out one of the teachings is to embrace the opposite of that teaching. When everyone is embracing these qualities it creates a safe and enjoyable environment for us to live and learn in.