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Learning Together Joyfully: THE SEVEN SACRED TEACHINGS OR THE SEVEN GRANDFATHERS – Humility

The Seven Sacred Teachings, also known as the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers, is a set of teachings on human conduct towards others. The 7 Guiding Principles include: respect, humility, courage, truth, wisdom, love, and honesty. Many Aboriginal organizations and communities have adopted the 7 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. Recognizing that not all First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures and histories recognize The Seven Sacred Teachings or the Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers the intent is to be as inclusive as possible.Despite where the teachings may have originated, they share the importance of abiding by a moral respect for all living things.

For the month of January, the focus is on one sacred teaching: Humility. The Wolf teaches humility. Central to the wolf is the family pack. To ensure survival, the pack must live 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 in our individual lives humility becomes the factor, which allows us to ask for guidance humbly. Humility is knowing, accepting and being who we are while demonstrating modesty about our accomplishments and gifts, admitting mistakes and valuing others for who they are and for their input. To demonstrate humility, encourage one another to admit mistakes and cheer each other on! It’s interesting how often a good sense of humor goes along with humility. Recognizing and acknowledging that there is a higher power than man and it is known as the Creator is deemed to be truly humble. To express deference to the Creator and accepting that all beings are equal is to capture the spirit of humility. The expression of this humility is manifested through the consideration of others before ourselves. In this way, the Wolf became the teacher of this lesson. He bows his head in the presence of others out of deference, and once hunted, will not take food until it can be shared with the pack. His lack of arrogance and respect for his community is a hard lesson, but integral in the Aboriginal way.

The Seven Sacred Laws are presented in a colourful and imaginative animated web series that follows a young boy on an Indigenous rite of passage: a vision quest. On his spiritual journey, he meets seven sacred animals that teach him how we as people should live our lives on Mother Earth. In partnership with The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness in Sagkeeng First Nation and IG Wealth Management, Manitoba 150 is honoured to present a series of short animated films on the Seven Sacred Laws. Written by Anishinaabe Elder, Dr. David Courchene, directed by Indigenous filmmaker, Erica Daniels of Peguis First Nation, and created by Manitoba’s Peg City Pictures Inc., the vignettes tell the stories of Indigenous Peoples in their own voices. It is in a format that is accessible not only for Indigenous people, but for all.

READING: While cozying up and making learning with literature a warm and memorable experience, enjoy sharing the following books which will can spark discussions about humility. The following books may be available at your public or school library. You can also click on the link and enjoy reading the books.

  • The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywait. Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Blue crayon needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. Black crayon wants to be used for more than just outlining.  And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun. What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?
  • Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss. Here are three classic tales about humility from the beloved Dr. Seuss. If you have this book on your shelf, get it out and enjoy these humorous stories with your kiddos!
  • Singing Sisters; A Story of Humility by Katherena Vermette & Irene Kuzlw. This is one book in The Seven Teachings Stories series. Ma’iingan knows she is a very good singer. Conflict erupts when her little sister wants to sing just like her. Set in an urban landscape with Indigenous children as the central characters, these stories about home and family will look familiar to all young readers. A pronunciation guide for the Anishnaabemowin words can be found at the back of the book.

  • King Hugo’s Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen. Hugo is a tiny king with a very large ego. But when he mistreats a villager who also happens to be a sorceress, the spell she casts causes his head to literally swell. The more he boasts, the bigger it gets, until it finally topples the mini monarch right off his castle! Who will cut this royal pain down to size? And, more importantly, will anyone live happily ever after? This book is sometimes a fairy tale, sometimes a cautionary tale, and always laugh-out-loud funny.

  • Chanticleer and the Fox adapted by Barbara Cooney. King of the barnyard, Chanticleer struts about all day. When a fox bursts into his domain, dupes him into crowing, and then grabs him in a viselike grip, Chanticleer must do some quick thinking to save himself and his barnyard kingdom. Winner, 1959 Caldecott Medal.

  • The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Anderson. A playfully illustrated version of the tale about misguided adults and an innocent boy who boldly tells the truth.. 

 RELATED ACTIVITIES:

  • Ask children to make peer “Helping Hands.’ Have them trace their hand and write on how they would help a friend or family in need to stay healthy, safe and true to who they are by using one of the seven teachings. Students can exchange helping hands or give it to a friend and share how they will support each other. They could also be displayed on a bulletin board.
  • Share the book the Tortoise and the Hare and then you might consider having children colour this page.
  • Ask each student to bring in a smooth rock about the size of a fist that has been washed and dried. Ask them to write, using paint or permanent markers, the most important value or teachings on their stone. Have them explain why it is important to them – they could provide an example of how the Teaching relates to their daily life. They could also  meet with a partner/small group to discuss the values and which they think are most important, or are they all important together, as a ‘bundle’? 
  • Follow-up the rock activity and ask students to write a story about one of the Seven Teachings. Ask them to include: What it means to them? What actions they can take to make it happen in their daily life?
  • Role Playing – Present children with a series of scenarios where they can choose to be boastful or humble, such as winning a game, getting an A on a test or giving someone a gift. Ask children to give a boastful response and then a humble response to the scenario. For example, a child could pretend to brag about winning the game to demonstrate boastful behavior and say “good game” to the other players to demonstrate humility. Talk about how everyone involved would feel for each scenario to emphasize why choosing to be humble is the better option.
  • Random acts of kindness are small acts that are done with no motive and, usually, without recognition. Have kids brainstorm some random acts of kindness they can do for each other.
  • Download this Poster about Humility and Encouraging Others.
  • Listen and learn more about humility: