Miywasin Moment: The Seven Sacred Teachings: Humility – The Wolf

By JoLynn Parenteau on April 20, 2022.

Humility, represented by the wolf, is a sacred teaching explored in this Miywasin Moment series.--Series art created by JoLynn Parenteau

“Humility provides clarity where arrogance makes a cloud.”

– The Lakota Way

In this series, the Miywasin Moment explores the Seven Sacred Teachings. Called the Tipi Teachings, Grandfather Teachings, or Seven Sacred Laws in other parts of Turtle Island (Native North America), these are values passed down from our Ancestors.

Indigenous ways of knowing are built upon seven natural laws, each upholding a virtue necessary to an honourable and balanced life. The tipi poles that form the structure of this traditional home each represent a value. In the second instalment, let us seek to better understand the Sacred Teaching of Humility, the antidote to Pride. In the Ojibwe language, Humility is Dbaadendiziwin or Dabasendizowin. In Cree, we say Peweyimowin.

The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness at Sagkeeng First Nation in Pine Falls, Manitoba is a place for reconnecting to the Earth and sharing Indigenous ancestral knowledge, founded on the Seven Sacred Laws. The Turtle Lodge offers children, youth, adults and Elders the opportunity to come together in a sacred environment for traditional teachings, ceremony, healing and the sharing of the perspectives of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island on Mino-Pi-Mati-Si-Win – A Good and Peaceful Way of Life.

In 2021, Turtle Lodge supported Indigenous filmmaker Erica Daniels and the respected late writer and Anishinaabe Elder Dr. David Courchene – Nitamabit (The Original Way and One who Sits in Front) Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man) to produce a series of animated YouTube videos about the Seven Sacred Teachings.

Each sacred teaching is represented by an animal. In the series’ seventh episode, the Wolf Spirit teaches a young Anishinaabe boy about the Law of Humility.

“To know humility is to be humble and modest, and to know you are no more or less important than any other living being in this beautiful world.”

“We all have been created equal,” continues Wolf. “Think of others before you think of yourself, and be grateful for everything you have.”

North Dakota wellbriety program Tribal Community Prevention’s Seven Sacred Teachings guide teaches that recognizing and acknowledging there is a higher power than man, known as Creator, is to be deemed truly humble. To express deference or submission to the Creator through the acceptance 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.

The guide explains that in this way, the Wolf became the teacher of this lesson. He bows his head in the presence of others out of deference, and after a successful hunt, will not eat any of the food until it can be shared with the pack. His respect for his community and lack of arrogance is a hard lesson, but integral to the Indigenous way.

“There is so much we can learn from the wolf,” taught Dr. Courchene. “Humility is about showing gratitude for life received, never overstepping the natural laws of Mother Earth. We are all equal in the eyes of the Great Spirit.”

The Cherokee teach the parable of the Two Wolves and a Wise Mind.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.

“The other is Good,” continued the wise Cherokee. “It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

In our winning seasons, when our personal and professional successes attract praise and accolades, it is tempting to fall into the trap of Pride. Ego can cloud the truth that it is often with the support and guidance of others that we are able to achieve our goals. Arrogance taints our gifts and talents. In these moments of weakness, let us remember that practising gratitude and humility allows our joy to shine, and hope and faith in continued prosperity to grow in a good way.