Authentic Native Gift to Seven Generations Rug

Ojibway tradition tells us that there were Seven Grandfathers, who where given the responsibility by the Creator to watch over the Earth’s people.  They sent their Osh-ka-bay-wis (helper) to the Earth to walk among the people and bring them a person who could be taught how to live in harmony with Creation.  A baby boy was chosen by the Osh-ka-bay-wis to bring to the wise Seven Grandfathers who would teach this child the significance of the four sacred directions and how one was to live a good life.  Each Grandfather gave the child a gift that would enable him to live a good life- provided he instructed his people the right way to use each gift- for each gift has an opposite.  The Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers are Nbwaakaawin:

To cherish knowledge is to know WISDOM, Zaagidwin: To know LOVE is to know PEACE, Mnaadendiwin: To honour all of Creation is to have RESPECT, Aakde’win: BRAVERY is to face the foe with integrity, Gwekwaadziwin: HONESTY in facing a situation is to be brave, Dbandendizwin: HUMILITY is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation and Debwewin: TRUTH is to know all these things. – EddieBenton-Benai,Midewewin, Mishomis Book,1988.