The Seven Ancestor Teachings, from Elder Duke Rebird

Summary

This script explores the indigenous teachings of the seven principles of Good Conduct, derived from the seven canopies of the food forest. The first canopy, the tallest trees like walnut and maple, symbolizes wisdom. The fruit trees represent courage, while berry bushes teach respect. Squashes and pumpkins above ground embody honesty, and ground-level plants like strawberries signify truth. Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots symbolize humility, and creepers and vines convey love. These principles have guided indigenous peoples for generations.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The first canopy of wisdom is represented by the tallest trees like Walnut, chestnut, and maple, symbolizing protection and teaching wisdom.
• 🍎 The second canopy of courage is embodied by fruit trees such as Plum, Cherry, Apple, and Pear, which endure harsh conditions to bear fruit.
• 🍇 The third canopy of respect is characterized by berry bushes like Raspberry, Blueberry, and Gooseberry, which grow in harmony despite their differences.
• 🥒 The fourth canopy of honesty is associated with above-ground vegetables like Squash, Pumpkin, and Cucumber, which are genuine and beneficial.
• 🍓 The fifth canopy of truth includes ground-level foods and medicines, teaching the importance of discerning fact from fiction.
• 🥔 The sixth canopy of humility is represented by underground vegetables like Potatoes and Carrots, which require effort to uncover.
• 💚 The seventh canopy of love is symbolized by creepers and vines, which embrace and support each other, teaching the value of love and connection.
• 🌱 The seven canopies of food in the forest are seen as teachings from ancestors, imparting values like wisdom, courage, respect, honesty, truth, humility, and love.
• 🌿 Indigenous peoples have been practicing these seven principles of Good Conduct since ancient times, maintaining a deep connection with nature and its teachings.

Q & A

What are the seven principles of Good Conduct mentioned in the script?

The seven principles of Good Conduct are wisdom, courage, respect, honesty, truth, humility, and love.

Which trees are associated with the canopy of wisdom according to the script?

The canopy of wisdom includes the oldest and tallest trees such as the Walnut, chestnut, beach nut, and maple trees.

What lesson does the Walnut tree impart to us as per the script?

The Walnut tree imparts the lesson of wisdom, symbolized by its meat's resemblance to the human brain and its nutritional benefits for the mind.

Which canopy represents courage in the food forest, and why?

The second canopy of food, which includes fruit trees like the Plum, Cherry, apple, and pear, represents courage because these trees endure harsh conditions and still produce fruit.

What is the significance of berry bushes in the food forest according to the script?

Berry bushes, such as raspberry, blueberry, thimbleberry, and bearberry, represent respect. They grow together in harmony, despite their differences in color, shape, taste, and texture.

What lesson do the foods that grow above the ground teach us?

Foods that grow above the ground, like squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, and lettuces, teach us honesty due to their evident goodness and trustworthiness.

Why are strawberries associated with truth in the script?

Strawberries are associated with truth because their seeds are on the surface, just as humans occupy the Earth's surface, and they are also shaped like a heart, symbolizing the heartbeat synonymous with truth in the anishinabi language.

What does the canopy of truth include, and what lesson does it teach?

The canopy of truth includes foods found on the ground's surface and teaches the lesson of discerning fact from fiction, such as distinguishing between poisonous and non-poisonous plants.

Which vegetables are part of the canopy that teaches humility, and what is the lesson?

Potatoes, carrots, turnips, and other vegetables that are buried under the ground are part of the canopy that teaches humility. The lesson is about the value of things that are not immediately visible and require effort to discover.

What is the significance of creepers and vines in the food forest, and what do they teach?

Creepers and vines that go through the woods and embrace each other represent love. They teach about the importance of connection and support among different elements of nature.

How have these seven teachings been preserved and practiced?

These seven ancestor teachings have been guiding and practiced by indigenous peoples since time immemorial, serving as a foundation for their way of life and connection to nature.