The Seven Generations and The Seven Grandfather Teachings

James Vukelich does an excellent job of explaining the link between language and culture and takes great pains to explain the Seven Teachings in a way that is easily understandable to those who are not Ojibwe. Throughout his text, Vukelich discusses familial relationships and cultural values and crucial Ojibwe vocabulary to help deepen the readers' understanding of his writing, expressing the indelible connection between him and his ancestors as well as the intergenerational connection that makes up the Seven Generations and leads to the next chapter that explains the concept of interconnectedness of all things and causal relationships. Vukelich points out that he didn't hear his native language spoken until he enrolled in an Ojibwe language class in college. His parents and grandparents were survivors of the residential boarding schools where native language, culture, and spirituality were suppressed in favor of English education. The intergenerational trauma resulting from residential boarding schools is not an unusual phenomenon for Indigenous people today; the trauma is still prevalent and felt in a variety of ways. As a doctoral student researching forced assimilation and language/culture loss, I found the book to be highly informational and also touching.While this book is a relatively short read, it is thorough and packed with great information for Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers, providing a straightforward explanation of the Seven Grandfather Teachings and how they are still so important and applicable to today's world. I highly recommend this book.

I read this in about an hour, and took a little time to pause and reflect. I even cried a little at the beautiful simplicity and profundity that James presents in his teaching.The tone of this book is full of love, which I felt the moment I pulled the book from its Amazon shipping mailer.James leads us easily from one topic to another in a very easy to understand, clear-spoken manner. Nothing is jumbled, convoluted, or repeated too often. There is no beating around the bush.The book starts by teaching us about the importance of the Seven Generations and then teaches us each of the seven character virtues necessary to have a life of balance, peace, and harmony.This does not come across a spirituality, self-help book. I read it from a Christian perspective and found it very lovely and inspirational. There were also similarities in Ojibwe beliefs and language to what Christianity has been given from its Judaic roots.I will be recommending this book as often as I can.My favorite pages were: 36, 63, and 68.Page 36 spoke of the eternal moving through the impermeant, and the Ojibwe way of saying that a dying person is "going home." They recognize that our spirits arrive here, experience a human condition, and then return to the Creator they came out from.Overall, this book helped me appreciate the beauty of a Native American language I had never interacted with before. And I'm so glad there are people like James working to preserve their language and culture for us to enjoy. That is true resilience, courage, and love.

The author of this book is a professor of annishnaabe language and culture. It's a good read and a valuable source of information about my native language and culture. Chi-miigwetch (great thanks)

I've been listening to Jame's Word of the Day for quite a while, and am familiar with many of the Grandfather Teachings. This book clarified all seven for me.The book is neatly formatted, easy to follow and easy to read, despite words that were not always easy to pronounce. I found the break down of the words helpful in understanding their origin, I'm not sure everyone will. The stories help to clarify each of the Grandfather teachings, which is very helpful.Specific teachings really stand out to me. Their meanings according to the Grandfather teachings are polar opposite of how most non-indigenous interpret their meaning. Humility is an example as you pointed out although I think it's more cultural that it's considered a bad thing to think lowly of oneself than it is related to the English language (only my opinion). Respect is the other teaching. What makes people take more than they need? Again, I think that's cultural. I am reminded of those who go back to the buffet and keep filling up their plates even though they are full. What makes people greedy?Many things in English make absolutely no sense. However I the conclusion drawn for Nibwaakaa makes sense, even if there is no accurate English translation for it. I don't think there has to be a literal translation. If one looks at all Seven Grandfather teachings, one should come to a similar if not same conclusion.There is a short section on residential schools. As someone born/raised in British Columbia, I grew up hearing very little of these horrific schools. I make frequent trips to Vancouver and I'd often walk by the Vancouver Art Gallery. It was impossible not to stop. This is where 215 children's shoes were placed, representing children thought to be buried at a former residential school in Kamloops, one of many former residential schools in British Columbia. (the shoes have recently been removed by Indigenous volunteers, apparently stored until a permanent memorial location is determined). The cruelty inflicted upon the Indigenous, the first peoples of the land and their families is more than heart-breaking. I really believe as a non-indigenous person, I, we are so damn lucky not everything was lost.Based on the description of the Grandfather teaching Bravery/Courage, I would fail miserably at this one. I can't reconcile the abuse of children on such a scale. In fact I can't reconcile the abuse of any child.I think everyone should read it - this world could use a lot more of the Seven Grandfather teachings.Miigwech!

I've followed James Vukelich online for a while now. He has an incredible spirit and this book resonated deeply with me. I loved it so much that I bought copies for my mother and sister as well. Remembering that I am connected to both past and future generations has really shifted my perspective. I cling to that during moments when I am feeling alone.

The author writes from a blended combination of knowledge and the heart. Though the concepts may seem simple, he provides a detour that deepens one’s realization of what is important in life.

Beautifully written book, perfect for an introduction to the Culture

What a fabulous book! Miigwech James; It really refreshed in me the love of the power of languages, as each language does have its specialities but limits too; hence why to know more than one is good. I was born in France and also lived more than 12 years in the USA and 23 in the UK (my wife, daughters even grandson are English).As much as I appreciate the power and funkiness of English tough, it is quite limited in expressing emotions, doing debates and is not always a success language for commerce/communities or education, as it depends which anglophone country you are in uses it (meaning well enough or not). English is now chosen to be spoken by foreigners in the world more per merit than an old 1980's reflex.También aprendí algo de español latinoamericano en los EE. UU. hasta A2. El español latinoamericano es maravilloso para explorar el mundo cultural y social de las Américas y más.I am learning Italian as a third main language BUT....also...am starting to seriously do some OJIBWE! WHY? Because its sounds are extremely soothing and Ojibwe words are a way....to feel....to be...it is UNIQUE!.Thank you so much for having been a HUGE inspiration for me to reconnect correctly to language power and more so, the wisdom of the Ojibwe's cultural natural laws that may govern our emotions in such a more positive and caring way: then, we so can win, as a human race, in the search for a self realization that honors our soul with love and empathy towards our environment and society. You ought to promote Ojibwe as a language and also within its powerful good philosophies, for attaining some great mental health in your country, and even abroad, as its sounds are extremely calming and seems to crush stress! Ambegish ji-onwaaziwiyamban!

Wonderful insighful author,please look him up on fb he is a treat to watch,cant recommend this book enough it and he are wondeful

Lovely book

This is an essential book for anyone whether they are Indigenous or not. I found this to be incredibly enlightening as I am Ojibwe and wanted to learn more of the language related to the Seven Grandfather Teachings but everyone that wants to lead a good life would benefit from the teachings this book has to offer.