The Seven Teachings or Seven Grandfather Teachings are a commonly held set of moral beliefs held among many Indigneous nations from Turtle Island. They are Love, Courage, Humility, Truth, Honesty, Wisdom, and Respect. The 7 teachings can be expressed in any order. They are all about balance, and they all work together as guiding principles to show Indigenous people how to live a good life.
Love – Zaagidwin (ZAAH-gidiwin) in the Anishnaabe language – is peace with yourself, balance in life, acceptance of all things and graciousness with the creator.
Bravery or Courage, Aakwa’ode’ewin (AHK-wahDEH-hehwin) in Anishnaabemowen, is to find inner strength to face the difficulties of life and the courage to be yourself. Make positive choices and have conviction in your decisions to defend what is right for your community, family, and self.
Humility, or Dbaadendiziwin (dihBAA-den-dizzywin) is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation, equal to others, but not better. Humble people work in cooperation with each other and for the greater good.
Truth, Debwewin (DEHB-way-win), is to understand your place in life and apply that understanding in the way that you walk. It’s about recognizing reality.
Honesty, or Gwayakwaadiziwin (way-yawk-WAA-dizzy win) To walk through life with integrity is to know honesty. Be honest with yourself. Recognize and accept who you are. Accept and use the gifts you have been given.
Wisdom, or Nibwaakawin (nBAWK-kah-win) teaches to recognize your differences and those of others in a kind and respectful way. Continuously observe the life of all things around you. Listen with clarity and a sound mind.
Pronunciation: https://web.archive.org/web/20071203034343/http://www.anishinaabemdaa.com/grandfathers.htm
Magoulick, M. nd Traditional Teaching Narratives in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan Retrieved on October 9, 2024 from https://archive.ph/20121214214633/http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~mmagouli/ttnarr.htm