Helping our Children to ‘Walk the Good Path’ in life: The Seven Grandfather Teachings & Educating our Children
From a First Nations perspective, you ‘Walk the Good Path’ when you demonstrate Truth, Love, Humility, Courage, Honesty, Respect, and Bravery.
The 7th Generation Principle also states that what happens now, will still have an impact 7 generations from now. So, it stands to reason, that the important leadership that educators provide now, should still be positively affecting our population 7 generations from now.
In difficult political times, when governments impose unfair laws and sanctions, and continue to marginalize groups, it changes a population of people. Human beings are not infallible, and a lack of respect and love shown toward others will have a negative effect. You reap what you sow.
Our Nation’s Leaders have a responsibility to help our Children to ‘Walk a Good Path’ in life. This takes Courage, and, according to the 7th Generation Principal, will help the next 7 generations to continue to ‘Walk the Good Path’.
In terms of our Education System, our Educators, just as our Children, are in need of the Seven Grandfather Teachings to continually learn how to create positive working environments, embed culturally relevant and culturally responsive teaching practices for our students to foster confidence, and not fear.
Every single day, educators need supports to open communication networks with staff, parents, and the community. They, like all people, need Love and Respect to strive for a mutual understanding of our own diversity; Bravery to engage in Holistic Education each day and learn to live in harmony with each other; Courage to follow the very Educational Initiatives that are put into place for the betterment of our students, and our society; Humility to admit that we don’t have all of the answers; Truth and Honesty to help us understand initiatives such as the Aboriginal Education Strategy that are a great benefit for all students, not just those self-identified as First Nations, Metis & Inuit.
The Educators of today are the Leaders for tomorrow. We need to train our Leaders well, and treat them well, so that our Educators can turn around and feel trusted enough to Nurture our children, and prepare for a brighter future.
It is important to truly respect others, acknowledge cultural diversity, admit mistakes, strive to attain mutual understanding, create positive working environments, foster confidence and not fear.
Tens of Thousands of Educators have such an important leadership role in raising and educating an entire generation of children for the future. Just as it takes an entire ‘Village to Raise a Child’; Our children, Educators and other professionals also need Love, Respect, Humility, Courage, Bravery, Honesty, and Truth to grow as human beings, and continue to make the world a better place. Not just for now, but for generations to come.
© Deborah McCallum and Big Ideas in Education, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Deborah McCallum and Big Ideas in Education with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.