A DREAM - Get Ready by Dave Courchene I had this dream last night. I was speaking to this man and telling him what I was told by the Grandfather. I told him, “The Grandfather spoke directly to

A DREAM - Get Ready by Dave Courchene I had this dream last night. I was speaking to this man and telling him what I was told by the Grandfather. I told him, “The Grandfather spoke directly to me and said: ‘You were told many years ago that there would be great changes coming to the Earth. As you were told, we prepared you with the spiritual teachings of your ancestors.’ ‘We were preparing you so you could live on the land. To live on the land you have to live from the spirit. Well that time is very close and there is no time to waste. Get the things you will need to survive on the land. Get axes, and the other things and tools you know you will need to live the most simple life, away from the technology that is destroying the water and the land.” I see many changes happening already, and I wondered how severe these changes are going to be in relation to the current lifestyle we are living. I realize that the current path we are on is not one that treats all life in sacredness. The Earth continues to feel the brunt of our selfishness and greed. When we reflect on the current world conditions, there is no doubt of a need for a major change – the need to change our current attitudes, to values that support life. A change is needed to be more kind, more compassionate, more giving and sharing. We were told of a time that is coming where the Earth would give birth to a New Life. The Earth would go through pains of labour while the vision of the New Life, brought by the Great Spirit, was growing in her womb. We were told long before the arrival of the newcomers in our homeland that there would be people coming from the many different lands of the Earth. They were brought here by the Great Spirit to come and learn, and be reminded of their true spiritual identity and purpose as human beings, which is to love and take care of each other and the Earth. All human beings were given original instructions, complete with values, duties and responsibilities that we are supposed to fulfill. There are those amongst our Nations as the Original People who have stayed faithful and true to our original instructions. It would be these few who would be propelled into the forefront of a movement, offering a leadership of sharing that knowledge. We are living in a time that we need a vision of hope based on values and teachings that can set the foundation for a change of heart. It is the spirit of these seven animals that we call upon to teach and remind us of the Seven Sacred Laws, beginning with the law of Respect – to be a giving and sharing people, following the example of the buffalo who gave its whole being for the life of the people. Love – is about loving the Great Spirit, loving the land, loving ourselves in the way we were created, and loving each other in the highest way, as the eagle brings vision that is always based on love. The essence of love is understanding, with empathy and compassion. Through the unconditional love of the Great Spirit, we have all been given the ability to have vision, and to make our visions come true. Courage – is living from the heart, and having the courage to be ourselves. It takes courage to do the right thing for the sake of the children, the way a mother bear would die before seeing harm come to her cub. Honesty – is being honest with ourselves, speaking and living our truth from the heart. Honesty is refusing to lie or engage in gossip about others. Honesty is being true to our words. Honesty is never judging or condemning others, but to speak well of others, honouring their uniqueness within the human family. Wisdom – is about using the gift the Great Spirit gave each of us to serve, and to build a strong family, community and Nation. Our gifts do not belong to us as individuals, but belong to all the people, to serve the good of the Nation. If the beaver did not use his gift to build, his teeth would grow long and he would die. Similarly if we do not use our gifts in a good way for the benefit of the Earth and the brothers and sisters of our nations, we too would die spiritually. Humility – is about showing gratitude for life received, never overstepping the natural laws of Mother Earth. Humility is to know that not one of us is ever above or below our fellow human beings. We are all equal in the eyes of the Great Spirit. There is so much we can learn from the wolf. The teaching of humility is especially important for the leaders of our Nations. Our motherland is referred to as Turtle Island. To know and live truth is to walk and live all the Seven Sacred Laws. Living truth means living in the spirit of Respect, Love, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility and Truth. It is when we live truth that we will know peace and find the truth of our humanity. When one is able to walk the spirit of these Seven Sacred Laws is when one becomes truly free, it is then that one receives the full support of the universe, and the forces of the Earth itself.

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Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair Stonechild, moderated by Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc, engaged in a dialogue about our essential and spiritual connection with the land and each other. They were joined by Reconciling Ways of Knowing Convenors Miles Richardson, OC, Dr. David Suzuki, and Dr. Nancy Turner.

This dialogue originally aired on Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00 am Pacific / 11:00 am Central / 1:00 pm Atlantic.

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Annie Leonard's "The Story of Stuff" initiates a discussion on a linear system that severely impacts the environment and exploits vulnerable populations. This system depletes forests, empties lakes, erodes land, pollutes the atmosphere, and exploits the poor in developing countries.

The Viable System Model (VSM) and Management Cybernetics are employed to critically analyze this system's extensive waste and resource depletion. This analysis aims to suggest important systemic changes.

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The Anishinaabe Seven Sacred Laws, shared by Elder Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Dr. Dave Courchene), form the foundation of life and connection to Spirit and land. Represented by seven animals, these laws offer guidance for living on Mother Earth, fostering a vision of hope rooted in kindness and values.

Each animal embodies a specific teaching: the Buffalo for Respect, Eagle for Love, Bear for Courage, Sabé for Honesty, Beaver for Wisdom, Wolf for Humility, and Turtle for Truth. These principles guide us to live from the heart, use our gifts for community, and honor our interconnectedness.

By embracing these Sacred Laws, we align with nature, achieve true freedom, and receive the full support of the universe and Earth.

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