Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day: Seven Sacred Teachings & Seven Indigenous Housing Facts

ASCHA recognizes the importance of acknowledging National Indigenous Peoples Day. In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day and ASCHA’s commitment to Truth & Reconciliation, our Indigenous Liaison and Learning Coordinator has shared some traditions and values of Indigenous people - the Seven Sacred Teachings. These scared teachings are an opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures and traditions and respectfully celebrate the history and beliefs of our Indigenous ancestors and people.

The Seven Grandfather teachings originated with the Anishinaabe peoples. They are guiding principles passed down from generation to generation?to guide the Anishinaabe in living a good life in peace and without conflict.

These teachings have been used and adopted by many Indigenous communities, and they use these teachings concepts as their own. The commonalities of the teachings are based on mutual understanding and respect for all living things. These philosophies can be applied to all people and to relationships with living things. Key facts about Indigenous housing need accompany each of the teachings below, to demonstrate how the teachings relate to one of the most pressing issues facing Indigenous peoples today. ?

The Seven Sacred Teachings are taught with a guiding spirit animal that embodies the characteristics of the word being used. These teachings are shared with a story of how Creator gave these lessons to the Anishinaabe people.

The Story

The Creator gave spirits known as the Seven Grandfathers the responsibility to watch over the Anishinaabe people. The Grandfathers sent a Messenger down to Earth to find someone to communicate Anishinaabe values. After searching in all directions, the Messenger found a baby. The Seven Grandfathers instructed the Messenger to take the baby around the Earth for seven years to learn the Anishinaabe way of life. After their return, the Grandfathers gave the baby, now a young boy, seven teachings to share with the Anishinaabe people: love, respect, bravery, truth, honesty, humility, and wisdom. Below lists each teaching in Anishinaabemowin and the linguistic breakdown of each word.

Truth

Truth is represented by the turtle as the turtle was here during the creation of Earth and carries the teachings of life on his back.?

Debwewin?

To speak only to the extent we have lived or experienced. Commonly referred to as Truth.?

• Deb = to a certain extent?
• We = sound through speech?
• Win = a way it is done

It takes Truth to recognize the facts when it comes to Indigenous core housing need.

Truth ? 18% of Indigenous households living in urban, rural, and northern areas are experiencing core housing need, meaning their housing falls below at least one of the adequacy, affordability, or suitability standards.

Humility

Humility is represented by the wolf. The wolf lives for his pack, and the ultimate shame is to be an outcast.

Dabasendiziwin?

To think lower of oneself in relation to all that sustains us. Commonly referred to as Humility.?

• Dabas = low or lower?
• End = pertaining to thought?
• Izi = state or condition?
• Win = a way it is done?

Humility is how Indigenous families handle the inequities between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous households.

Humility ? Nearly a quarter of Indigenous children ages 14 and younger live in low-income households in 2021, more than double that of non-Indigenous children.

Respect

Respect is represented by the buffalo.?The buffalo gives every part of his being to sustain the human way of living. The buffalo respects the balance and needs of others.?

Manaaji’idiwin?

To go easy on one another and all of Creation. Commonly referred to as Respect.?

• Manaaji = to go easy on someone?
• Idi = in a reciprocal way?
• Win = a way it is done

Respect the past and acknowledge the harms done to Indigenous peoples, and recognize the systematic oppression that adds to the homelessness statistics for Indigenous populations.?

Respect ? The higher rates of homelessness for Indigenous people are associated with systemic barriers in education, employment, and the intergenerational effects of colonization.

Love

Love is represented by the eagle because he has the strength to carry all the teachings.??

Zaagi’idiwin?

Unconditional love between one another including all of Creation, humans, and non-humans. Commonly referred to as Love.?

• Zaag = to emerge, come out or flow out?
• Idi = in a reciprocal way?
• Win = a way it is done?

Love is how Indigenous people stay united and look after themselves and others, sharing whatever they can, so others don’t suffer or go without.

Love ? 17.1% of Indigenous people live in overcrowded housing, almost double the number of non-Indigenous people living in crowded housing.

• Inuit living in crowded housing: 40.1%
• First Nations living in crowded housing: 21.4%
• Métis living in crowded housing: 7.9%

Honesty

Honesty is represented by either the raven or the sabe.?They both understand who they are and how to walk in their life.?

Gwayakwaadiziwin?

To live correctly and with virtue. Commonly referred to as Honesty.?

• Gwayak = correctly, straightly, and rightly?
• Aadizi = he/she lives?
• Win = a way it is done?

Honesty is to speak to the truth about the facts of the Indigenous housing crisis and acknowledge the needs and fix the problems with integrity.

Honesty ? Almost 1 in 6 Indigenous people lived in a home needing major repairs in 2021, a rate nearly three times higher than the non-Indigenous population.

Bravery

Bravery is represented by the bear.?The mother bear has the courage and strength to face her fears and challenges while protecting her young. To face life with courage is bravery.?

Zoongide’ewin?

To live with a solid, strong heart. Commonly referred to as Bravery or Courage.?

• Zoongi = solid, strong?
• De’e = a form of heart?
• Win = a way it is done?

Courageous are the Indigenous people that suffer homelessness because of the effects of colonization.

Bravery ? Indigenous people are overrepresented among the 35,000 people who experience homelessness each night in Canada.

Wisdom

Wisdom is represented by the beaver, because he uses his natural gift by altering the environment for his family’s survival.

Nibwaakaawin?

To live with vision. Commonly referred to as Wisdom.?

• Ni = the soul within?
• Waa = pertaining to sight?
• Kaa = an abundance?
• Win = a way it is done?

Wisdom is not just about being aware of the needs and problems of the Indigenous housing crisis but about being wise in solving the problems and addressing the needs effectively.

Wisdom ? The Assembly of First Nations and the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy released a joint study in 2021 that identified the need for housing in First Nation communities at about 55,000 new units and 81,000 renovations on reserve.

The Housing Crisis At A Glance:

• 18% of Indigenous households living in urban, rural, and northern areas are experiencing core housing needs, meaning their housing falls below at least one of the adequacy, affordability, or suitability standards.
• 18.8% of the Indigenous population live in low-income households.
• Nearly a quarter of Indigenous children ages 14 and younger live in low-income households in 2021, more than double that of non-Indigenous children.
• Almost one in six Indigenous people lived in a home needing major repairs in 2021, a rate nearly three times higher than the non-Indigenous population.
• 17.1% of Indigenous people live in overcrowded housing, almost double the number of non-Indigenous people living in crowded housing.
• Inuit living in crowded housing: 40.1%
• First Nations living in crowded housing: 21.4%
• Métis living in crowded housing: 7.9%
• Indigenous people are overrepresented among the 35,000 people who experience homelessness each night in Canada.
• Indigenous people are more than twice as likely to experience hidden homelessness (couch surfing), especially in the north, compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
• The higher rates of homelessness for Indigenous people are associated with systemic barriers in education, employment, and the intergenerational effects of colonization.
• Indigenous people living off-reserve have lower homeownership rates and are more likely to live in subsidized housing.
• According to the Parliamentary Budget Officer, there is a $636 million annual gap between what Indigenous households living in off-reserve rural, urban, and northern communities pay for housing and what is deemed affordable.
• The Assembly of First Nations and the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy released a joint study in 2021 that identified the need for housing in First Nation communities at about 55,000 new units and 81,000 renovations on reserve.

Housing Facts Source: https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/inadequate-housing-3-of-8-key-issues??