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Learning Together Joyfully: The Seven Sacred Teachings – Courage

The Seven Sacred Teachings, also known as the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, is a set of teachings that reflects on how we treat others. The seven Guiding Principles include: respect, humility, courage, truth, wisdom, love, and honesty. Many Aboriginal organizations and communities have adopted the seven guiding principles, in one form or another, as moral and cultural foundations. These Seven Teachings are most commonly shared from coast to coast and act as guiding principles towards restoration of the cultural values, beliefs, and practices that were forbidden to Indigenous peoples. Each community has adapted the teachings to suit their community values. Although recognizing that not all First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures and histories recognize The Seven Sacred Teachings, the intent is to be as inclusive as possible. Despite where the teachings may have originated, they share the importance of respecting all living things.

  • In December there is a focus on one sacred teaching: Courage. The Bear teaches courage. Courage is the ability to face danger, fear, or change with confidence and bravery. The Bear provides many lessons in the way it lives, but courage is the most important teaching it offers. Though gentle by nature, the ferociousness of a mother Bear when one of her cubs is approached is the true definition of courage. To have the mental and moral strength to overcome fears that prevent us from living our true spirit as human beings is a great challenge that must be met with the same vigour and intensity as a mother Bear protecting her cub. Living of the heart and living of the spirit is difficult, but the Bear’s example shows us how to face any danger to achieve these goals. Children of all ages will be inspired to live a life led by bravery. 
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These books address social and mental health issues and also provide inspiration and skills for children to cope and confront them. Courageous living builds confidence and often leads to a happier and more fulfilling life. Enjoy sharing these books which will hopefully spark discussions about courage with your children. The following books may be available at your public or school library. You may also click on the link and enjoy reading the books together.

  • Courage by Bernard Waber. A collection of stories about courage, with a number of scenarios featuring children, a few grown-ups, and a dog. Examples include serious “awesome kinds” and more lighthearted “everyday kinds” are given. What is courage? Certainly it takes courage for a firefighter to rescue someone trapped in a burning building, but there are many other kinds of courage too. Everyday kinds that normal, ordinary people exhibit all the time, like “being the first to make up after an argument,” or “going to bed without a nightlight.” Bernard Waber explores the many varied kinds of courage and celebrates the moments, big and small, that bring out the hero in each of us. The concrete examples used will resonate with children.Of the books about courage listed here, this is one of the best discussion starters.
  • The First Day by Katherena Vermette. Makwa has to go to a new school … and he doesn’t want to. How will he face his first day? The First Day is a book in the series The Seven Teachings Stories. The Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe—love, wisdom, humility, courage, respect, honesty, and truth—are revealed in seven stories for children. Set in urban landscapes, Indigenous children tell familiar stories about home, school, and community. Katherna Vermette discusses the Seven Teaching Series.
  • Nokum Is My Teacher read by David Bouchard. This book is the poetic story of a young aboriginal boy, posing questions to his grandmother, his “Nokum”, about the wider world beyond the familiarity of their home and community. Through a series of questions, Nokum guides her grandson towards an understanding of his need to fit into and learn more about this large world beyond the reserve. She offers her grandson a vision of a world he can enter through imagination and reading, while retaining respect for the ways of his people. By the conclusion of the book, the young grandson has learned many new ideas from his grandmother and discovered his own wisdom in dealing with the changes in his life. This is a delightfully packaged book and audio file, combining the written text in English and Cree with the mesmerizing voice of author/storyteller extraordinaire David Bouchard. It is illustrated by the hauntingly beautiful artworks of Allan Sapp.
  • Howard Wiggle-Bottom Learns About Courage by Howard Binkow. It’s OK to be afraid. Fear is a friend. You can’t be brave if you don’t fear. On the website click on the book title and there are accompanying downloadable resources such as interactive questions, or colour with the computer. Take some time to check out the We Do Listen Foundation website for videos and songs. Howard B. Wiggle-Bottom books, animations, songs and lessons help children to become better listeners, learn important life lessons and feel good about themselves. No one ever gets in trouble or does poorly in school for too much listening.
  • Brave Irene by William Steig. This winning heroine will inspire every child to cheer her on as she ventures through a bitter cold snowstorm. Irene Bobbin, is the dressmaker’s daughter. Her mother, Mrs. Bobbin, isn’t feeling so well and can’t deliver the beautiful ball gown she’s made for the duchess to wear that very evening. So plucky Irene volunteers to get the gown to the palace on time, in spite of the fierce snowstorm that’s brewing– quite an errand for a little girl. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, as Irene proves in the danger-fraught adventure that follows. She must defy the wiles of the wicked wind, her most formidable opponent, and overcome many obstacles before she completes her mission.
  • I Am Courage by Susan Verde. Learning to bounce back after times of adversity is what this book is all about! Evoking a spirit of bravery, this book provides children with simple daily affirmations that influence subconscious thinking and solidify more positive self-belief.
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  • Forgotten Fairy Tales Of Kindness and Courage by Montefiore Mary Sebag. Reviving unjustly neglected stories, Usborne’s collections of ‘Forgotten Fairy Tales’ bring together empowering fairy tales to inspire a new generation of readers. This book follows ‘Tales of Brave and Brilliant Girls Around the World’ and ‘Forgotten Fairy Tales of Brave and Brilliant Girls’. See a preview of the book here.
  • Brave As Can Be; A Book of Courage by Jo Witek. The life of a child can be full of frightening things: the dark, the neighbor’s dog, and thunderstorms, just to name a few. As children get older, they begin to feel braver around these everyday events, but how do they build this newfound confidence? In this lyrical, insightful picture book, an older sister explains to her younger sister all the things she used to be afraid of, along with some tricks to help, whether it’s a special blanket for bedtime or singing during a storm. Now, big sister assures little sister, the fears that once felt as big as a mountain feel as minuscule as a speck of dust. With charming illustrations and die cuts throughout, this playful portrait of fear and bravery empowers young readers to confront once-scary situations.
  • Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage To Be Who You Are by Maria Dismondy. Lucy has big hair, eats fun foods and is teased by a boy named Ralph at school because she is different. She tries to be brave but she wishes the teasing would stop. What should I do? she asks herself over and over. Lucy’s Papa Gino reminds her to do the right thing and treat people with kindness. So when Ralph gets stuck on the playground and needs help, will Lucy use this chance to teach Ralph a lesson? Or will she have the courage to be true to herself and make the right choice with an act of kindness? Readers of all ages can empathize with Lucy’s brave journey as she sets out to rise above Ralph’s mean words, stay true to herself and build her self-esteem every step of the way. This book comes with a free Reader’s Companion, complete with discussion questions, lesson plans and activities for children to go beyond the book. 

ACTIVITIES related to the Seven Sacred Teachings or Grandfather Teachings.

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  • Engage children in a discussion about courage – consider the following conversation starters.
  • Read some of the books about courage and discuss how the characters showed courage. Consider some of the following questions:
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