The Seven Sacred Teachings Character Education Program - An Introduction

The Story of the  Seven Sacred Teachings

"The Seven Grandfathers were powerful spirits who held the responsibility of watching over the people. They noticed how difficult life on Earth was for the people and sent their helper down amongst the people to find a person whom they could teach to live in harmony with the Earth. The helper found a newborn child, however the Seven Grandfathers believed him to be too young at that time. Shkabwes, the helper, was instructed to take the boy to see the four quarters of the universe in order to give him more time to grow. When he returned, the boy was seven years old. The Grandfathers then began to teach the young boy, and they each presented him with a gift. These gifts were Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth.The boy, now a full-grown man, returned to the people and taught them of the gifts of the Seven Grandfathers. With the gifts and the understanding the people now had, they began to adjust to the daily challenges. The people had learned to live in harmony with the Earth."

Each one of us represents the child. We must faithfully apply the teachings of our Seven Grandfathers to our own lives. We must place our trust in the Creator. We must also never forget to be sincere in our actions, character, and words."

Indigenous Character Education

The Seven Sacred Teachings represent one of the first acknowledgments of the importance of character education in raising children to live by the community's core values and become positive members of society. The teaching of traditional knowledge and skills aimed at teaching virtues and values related to Love, Respect, Courage, Truth, Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom has been done for millennia through land-based learning, stories, ceremonies and direct teaching. 

The Importance of School Character Education Programs

The world is changing in many different ways.  Life moves more quickly, social media changes how we relate to one another. Children are growing up in a different world where many of the issues outlined by the Grandfathers are rearing their ugly heads again and it’s affecting all our children. 

Current longitudinal studies following indices of social and emotional skills among children ages 7 to 16 indicate a steady deterioration in social competence and a corresponding steady increase in withdrawal, anxiety, depression, attention and thinking problems, delinquent and aggressive behavior. The rate of deterioration is the same across socio-economic levels. 

At the same time, research over the past 20 years is indicating the benefits of implementing character education programs in schools (from Understanding Effective Character Education, Dr. Marvin Berkowitz):

• School climate improves.

• Students and staff perceive school as a caring, safe, child-centred place.

• Students behave more appropriately and pro-socially.

• Misconduct, drug use and violence decline significantly.

• Academic motivation and achievement scores increase, including on standardized tests (For example, diligence and a sense of responsibility are often taught in character education programs. Learning skills related to being diligent and responsible teaches students how to focus better on their studies, and more importantly gives them the drive that will make them want to do well in their subjects).

• Students improve their problem-solving skills and develop greater emotional competency (and other aspects of social and emotional intelligence)

 As the world changes, so do the skills that young people need to keep pace.  

The goal of our program is to identify and combine traditional and modern ways to build character through the Seven Sacred Teachings - ways that will give the children the knowledge, skills and strategies they will need to overcome challenges and live happy successful lives in the community and beyond

You can get a better overall idea of the program through the slideshow below.