Seven Grandfathers

The Creator gave seven Grandfathers,

who were very powerful spirits,

the responsibility to watch over the people.

The Grandfathers saw that people were living a hard life.

They sent their helper to spend time amongst the people

and find a person who could be taught how to live in harmony with Creation.

Their helper went to the four directions to find a person

worthy enough to bring to the Grandfathers.
While the boy was travelling with Otter

they were visited seven times by spirits who told them about the gifts.

Here is what they said:

To cherish knowledge is to know wisdom;

To know love is to know peace;

To honour all of Creation is to have respect;

Bravery is to face the foe with integrity;

Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave;

Humility is to know your self as a sacred part of Creation;

Truth is to know all of these things.

Otter returned to his friend, who,

because of all the time spent in the spirit world,

was now an old man.

The Old Man gathered all the people around

and told them of his journey to the Seven Grandfather's lodge.

He explained how to use the gifts.

He explained that the opposite of any of the gifts would lead to ruin.

He gave them the understanding of opposites.

It was now up to the people to follow the path laid out before them.

The Old Man gave them all they needed for the development of the spiritual side of life.

Excerpts from the "Mishomis Book: Voice of the Ojibway,"