Traditional Teachings

Sacred Hoop

Four Directions

Seven Grandfathers

Animal Totems

Purpose

Participants will be able to:

• Express key elements of the Sacred Hoop

• Discuss teachings around the Four Directions

• Name the Seven Grandfathers

• Explain the tradition of Animal Totems

Religion & Spirituality

General

American Culture

• Separation of church & state

• Religious customs & traditions apart fromapart from other aspects of life

Traditional

Native Culture

• Inter-relationship between everything

• Spiritual tradition & teachings integrated integrated Way of life

Native Traditions

• Essence• Spirit• Help you to

understand concepts and teachings

• Do not generalize• Always explore &

clarify

Sacred Hoop• Great Circle or Circle of Life• Affinity w/ nature• All life is Sacred & has

purposes/teachings to share• Balance is a function of

harmony• Spiritual/Practical• Everything shares life w/

human beings• Co-inhabitants

Image by: Robert LentzBride Building Images

Four DirectionsN.A. teachings value 4 & 7• Relationship: mind, body, spirit

& emotion• Elements: earth, air, fire &

water• Life: birth, puberty adulthood

& old age• Gifts: hope, faith, love and

charity• Receiving, giving, determining

and holding• Harmony/balance: self, w/

others, communities & all of creation

Image: Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards

EAST

• New beginnings, awakenings, hope, new life

• Creativity, illumination, discernment & clarity of communication

• Meditation & brainstorming

• Spring

• Air

• Eagle or Hawk Medicine

• Yellow

Image: Sacred Path Cards

SOUTH• Rapid growth• Exploring, experiencing &

investigating• Sensation / physical body and

work/career lessons• Fire/Heart: generosity &

sensitivity• Power that guides growth• Living in harmony• Faith & emotion• Summer • Fire• Wolf Medicine• Red or White

WEST• Strength and introspection• Sunset & gentle endings• Cleansing & healing• Transform physical experiences

into spiritual teachings• Dream work, prayer & vision

quests• Claim power & determining

appropriate use in the world• Maturity & understanding• Bear Medicine• Water• Blue or Black

NORTH

• Renewal & quickening

• Mystery: Sun never sits in the north

• Stability, grounding & practicality

• Winter

• Mother Earth

• Buffalo

• Black or RedImage: Sacred Path Cards

Seven Grandfathers

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of

Chippewa IndiansChippewa Indians

For Native People

…a way to remember the teachings and medicine that have been gifted to

Native Peoples by the Creator …

Love

To know love is to knowTo know love is to knowpeace …peace …• Care for one another• A way of life• Heart of all service to others• Honor relationships• Living at peace & in harmony

Grandfather Sun is warmth and represents the love of the GreatSpirit for all

Sacred Path Cards

RespectTo honor all of Creation is

to have respect …• Honor traditions, family,

others & ourselves• Caring for Creation• Value individual &

community opinions• Listen & respond to each

other’s needs• Work together• Open & honest

environment

BraveryTo face life with courage isTo face life with courage isto know bravery …to know bravery …• Self-determination

through leadership• Stand up for convictions• Not the absence of fear –

act responsibly in the face of fear

• Courage in the face of adversity

Image by: Fr. John B. GiulianiBuilding Bridges Images

Honesty

To walk through life with integrityTo walk through life with integrityif to know honesty …if to know honesty …• Principle for protecting self-

determination• Know & be honest with

ourselves• Accept & act on truth• Straightforward & appropriate

communication• Personal responsibility to

follow through on commitments• Demonstrated/valued in

thought, word & deed

HumilityTo accept yourself, as a Sacred To accept yourself, as a Sacred part of Creation is to know part of Creation is to know humility …humility …• Balance throughout life• Put others above/before

ourselves• Recognize limitations & ask for

help (when needed)• Serve the needs of family,

community, Tribe & Creation• Don’t take self so seriously

(Clown Traditions)• Reverence for Mother Earth• Willingness to protect all of

Creation

Truth

To know truth of these things is toTo know truth of these things is toknow truth …know truth …• Faithfully applying teachings• Trusting the Creator• Actions we are called take are

clear and in keeping with these teachings

Unity is established through focus of spirit, mind, and body, enabling the singers of these most powerful songs to sustain truth within the world.

Animal TotemsAnimal Totems

Teachings & Medicine

Animal Totems or Spirit GuidesAnimal Totems or Spirit Guides

• All aspects of this world are Sacred• Animals have specific medicine or teachings• Helpful in obtaining direction• Totems are “Spirit Guides”• Protection, counsel, advice & encouragement• Each has different qualities, teachings or medicine• Totems are influenced/specific to various Tribes