Truth, represented by the turtle, is a sacred teaching explored in this Miywasin Moment series.--Series art created by JoLynn Parenteau
“The Great Law of Peace from the Great Spirit is perfect, balanced, true and just in every way. Only when each person has the Living Laws of Peace within their heart, thoughts, words and actions will there be lasting peace among the Nations of the Earth.”
– Deganawida (Two River Currents Flowing Together), The Peacemaker, legendary founder of the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Confederacy
It is said that many thousands of years ago, the first caretakers of Turtle Island (Indigenous North America) were given a gift from the Creator: the Seven Sacred Laws.
In this series, the Miywasin Moment explores these Seven Sacred Teachings. Also called the Grandfather Teachings, or Tipi Teachings in other parts of Turtle Island, 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 this seventh and last series instalment, let us seek to better understand the Sacred Teaching of Truth, the key to walking in a good way on our journey with ourselves and others through this life. In Michif, truth is la vayriiti. In Cree, we say tapwewin, and similarly in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, debwewin.
The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness at Sagkeeng First Nation in Pine Falls, Man. 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 Laws.
Each sacred teaching is represented by an animal. It is said that Grandmother Turtle was present when Creator gifted the Seven Sacred Laws to the First People, to be sure these laws would never be forgotten and lost.
In the series’ last episode, a young Anishinaabe boy nearing the end of his vision quest encounters the spirit of Grandmother Turtle, who imparts to him the Law of Truth.
“To know Truth is to live and walk with all the Seven Sacred Laws,” Grandmother Turtle tells the boy, who recalls the previous animal spirits’ lessons of Love, Respect, Honesty, Courage, Wisdom and Humility. “When the human beings walk these laws, then there will be peace.”
Michigan tribal coalition Uniting Three Fires’ online guide 7 Grandfather Teachings tells us that the turtle lives life in a slow and meticulous manner because it understands the importance of both the journey and the destination. Truth is to know all of these things: to apply faith and trust in your teachings; to show honour and sincerity in all that you say and do; to understand your place in this life and apply that understanding in the way that you walk; and to be true to yourself and all other things.
Zhaawnong (Ojibwe, Southern Star) Webb is an Anishinaabe online educator and knowledge keeper, sharing Indigenous history, culture, language and identities. On the seventh day of his 2023 Indigenous knowledge holiday calendar video series, Webb reviews the Seven Grandfather Laws, including debwewin, Truth, reminding us to be true to ourselves. Find and follow his content on Instagram @zhaawnong.
“To commit to these seven teachings and see them as fundamental values that complement each other is to know them within oneself, authentically,” writes Today’s Parent contributor Selena Mills. “The turtle, who methodically walks the Earth as one of our eldest animals, reminds us of our teachings that proceed and survive all of time. Walk with these teachings; share these teachings from a true place of regard for their capacity to enrich our own lives and those who we encounter.”
“Every year we have 13 moon cycles,” teaches Webb in his holiday calendar series’ 13th video. “If you look at the shell of a turtle, there are 13 scutes (scale shapes) on the inside, marking our 13 moons, which we also refer to as our Grandmothers.”
As we enter another new year, look to the 13 Grandmother Moons to light your way when your path is dark. As the days grow longer, may the Seven Sacred Laws and their animal spirits guide you on your journey to walk in a good way, and stay true to yourself.
JoLynn Parenteau is a Metis writer out of Miywasin Friendship Centre. Column feedback can be sent to jolynn.parenteau@gmail.com.
