1. The Seven Grandfather teachings

2. When you think of grandfathers, what comes to mind?

3. What are the seven grandfather teachings?
They are cherished virtues within many Aboriginal communities.
Virtues = good habits
A long time ago, 7 Grandfathers were concerned with the attitudes and behaviours of humanity.
These Grandfathers were wise, spiritual figures.
The 7 Grandfathers chose a human representative to pass on their teachings to humankind.
This human is known as “The First Elder.”
The teachings are represented on Medicine Wheels.

4. What are the teachings? Wisdom Love Respect Bravery (Courage) Honesty
Humility
Truth

5. Advice from the Seven Grandfathers
The Seven Grandfathers told the First Elder that “Each of these teachings must be used with the rest; you can not have wisdom without love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth…to leave one out is to embrace the opposite of what that teaching is.”

6. Animal connection
Each Grandfather Teaching is represented by an animal.
Animals have always been greatly respected by the Aboriginal peoples.
Animals taught humans “how to live close to the earth.”

7. Video Clip: our 7 Ojibway teachings

8. The beatitudes
The Beatitudes are important virtues within the Catholic faith.
The Beatitudes bear many similarities to the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
Can you recall any of the Beatitudes?

9. The beatitudes: Matthew 5: 1-12
5 When Jesus[a] saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

10. The beatitudes: Matthew 5: 1-12
7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[b] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

11. Activity: You will be given a chart and a summary of the Beatitudes.
For each Beatitude, identify a Grandfather Teaching that you think is similar to the Beatitude.
Identify an example of an opposite value for each Beatitude.
For each Beatitude, identify an example of how you can put the Beatitude into practice in your life.

12. Sources: Traditional Teachings Handbook. 2008. Retrieved from: