Held Together By

In this section

The Four Medicines

Braided Learning Framework with the four medicines highlighted: Tobacco, Sweetgrass, Sage and cedar.

 

The four medicines are guiding principles that bind this framework.

They provide teachings to support moving forward in a good way with one another, and within each ring with deep connections to the Creation Story.

Tobacco

tobaccoTobacco is the first plant that was gifted to us, and it reminds us of the gift of communication:

“Tobacco has a special relationship to other plants: it is said to be the main activator of all the plant spirits. It is like the key to the ignition of a car. When you use it, all things begin to happen. Tobacco is always offered before picking medicines. When you offer tobacco to a plant and explain why you are there, that plant will let all the plants in the area know why you are coming to pick them.” (Anishnawbe Health Toronto).

Within education, this knowledge guides our communication, our thoughts, and feelings within a learning environment. We offer tobacco to Elders who guest speak within courses or programs. We can also embrace the teachings of tobacco to start our classes in a good way: be transparent, communicate with learners, and be open and honest. Build positive, respectful, and reciprocal relationships in learning environments with this understanding of communication. Build safer spaces by reciprocally communicating the expectations of learners for the course but also ask the learners about their expectations from the teacher from each other.

Sweetgrass

sweetgrassSweetgrass is the hair of Mother Earth and as our Mother Earth is kind to us, sweetgrass reminds us of the gift of kindness and the gentle teacher. Sweetgrass is also braided and teaches us about the strength of connection. We are stronger when braided together. The three strands are thought to represent mind, body, and soul as well as love, kindness, and honesty. The teachings of Sweetgrass inspired the title of this Framework. We braid this framework together, uniting pedagogical practices together, as we are stronger together, to create positive learning environments for all learners and diverse ways of teaching. Braiding sweetgrass, much like Reconciliation, must be done together, not alone, and in that we see kindness with one another.

Within Education, this reminds us to be kind within our learning spaces and remember the original teachings. It reminds us about trauma-informed practice, and safer spaces, about the gentle teachers so learners feel confident to be curious and empowered to ask questions.

Sage

Sage reminds us of the gift of clarity. Sage is often burned to see, hear, think, speak and feel good things; this is known as smudging.

Within education Sage’s teachings remind us of clarity in the classroom; to move forward in a good way with one another, we take interconnections from sweetgrass and tobacco’s teachings to form clarity in what we are doing.

Cedar

cedar branchesCedar reminds us of the gift of ceremony and represents restoration or protection. When burned it crackles and calls to the ancestors.

Everyone has the right to feel safe within their education and Cedar reminds us that learning is a life-long ceremony which calls on knowledge from the past, knowledge from our Ancestors, to support the Seven Generations of the Future.

The Seven Grandfather Teaching

The Seven Grandfather Teachings teach us about a strength-based approach to learning. Bell is one individual who tells us the teaching:

“Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin is lived according to the seven original teachings or ancestral teachings embedded within an Anishinaabe philosophy of life. These original teachings are the guiding principles for the way in which individuals are to treat each other and can be articulated in relation to how individuals are to treat the natural environment. The original teachings can be defined as follows: – Love: capacity for caring and desire for harmony and well-being in interpersonal relationships and with the environment. – Honesty: to act with the utmost honesty and integrity in all relationships, including relating to the environment, recognizing the inherent autonomy, dignity, and freedom of oneself, others, and all living things Respect: recognizing the interdependence and interrelationships of all life, to relate to one another with generosity, an ethic of sharing, and a collective consciousness and cooperation. – Truth: conscious of the need for kindness and respecting the integrity of oneself, others, and the natural environment; to exercise strength of character and self-mastery in order to generate and maintain peace, harmony and well-being within oneself, the collective community, and the planet we all share. – Bravery: the exercise of courage and bravery on the part of the individual so that the quality of life and inherent autonomy of oneself, others, and the natural world can be exercised in an atmosphere of security, peace, dignity and freedom. – Wisdom: the respect for that quality of knowing and gift of vision in others and all living things, and striving for the same within oneself, that encompasses the holistic view, possesses spiritual quality, and is expressed in the experiential breadth and depth of life. – Humility: the recognition of ourselves as a sacred and equal part of Creation, and in the honoring of all of life which is endowed with the same inherent autonomy, dignity, freedom and equality which leads to a sensitivity toward others and a desire for good relations and balance with all of life.” (Bell, p. 95, 2013).

Within education the Seven Grandfather Teachings can be embraced in many ways. Respect, relationships, reciprocity while learning are included. We also can embrace these teachings to honour the knowledge of those who have taught us, to ensure integrity of the self, to learn from experience and be open to hear about other’s experiences.

How do the Seven Grandfather's Teachings fit into the Rings?

The braided learning framework with the seven grandfather teachings highlighted.

Reflective Practice / Truth (Turtle)

turtleTruth, as carried by the Turtle, teaches us to honor both the journey and the destination. Reflective practice invites us to pause and acknowledge where we are on our path—recognizing our strengths with humility and identifying areas for growth with honesty. In living our truth, we show sincerity and integrity in all that we say and do, walking in alignment with our values and purpose.

Fostering Inclusivity – Love (Eagle)

eagleLove, represented by the Eagle, reminds us of the sacred teaching of all my relations—that we are all interconnected. Fostering inclusivity means embracing each person and the Earth with the same unconditional love. It is through love that we create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and respected and moving with compassion.

Mindful Learning – Bravery (Bear)

bearThe Bear teaches us that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the courage to face it. Mindful learning requires us to be brave—to open our minds, challenge our assumptions, and step into the unknown. It is an act of strength to engage deeply with learning, to contribute authentically, and to grow through vulnerability and self-discovery.

Empowering Curiosity – Respect (Buffalo)

buffaloThe Buffalo embodies respect through its gentle strength and generosity. At Durham College, a culture of respect empowers learners to be curious—to ask questions, explore new ideas, and honor diverse perspectives. Respect creates the foundation for curiosity to thrive, where knowledge is shared and received with openness and care.

Creating Connection – Humility (Wolf)

wolfThe Wolf teaches us humility through its role in the pack—valued for connection and contribution. Creating meaningful connections begins with recognizing that we are a sacred part of creation, no greater or lesser than any other being. In humility, we listen deeply, build relationships, and walk together in mutual support and belonging.

Authentic Experiences – Wisdom (Beaver)

beaverWisdom, carried by the Beaver, is found in the stories we share and the experiences we live. Authentic learning happens when we engage with real-world challenges, reflect on our journeys, and learn from one another. The Beaver reminds us that wisdom is not just knowledge, but the ability to apply it with purpose, creativity, and care for the collective good.

Knowledge Creation – Honesty (Raven or Sabe)

sabeThe Raven teaches us honesty in how we understand and express who we are. Knowledge creation is an act of responsibility—gathering insights from community, experience, and spirit, and sharing them with integrity. The Raven reminds us that we are gifted with knowledge not to keep it hidden, but to use it to uplift, inform, and inspire others. To be honest with ourselves is to use our gifts to thrive, and uplift community.

Circular Learning – Truth (Turtle)

turtleAs we return to the Turtle, we are reminded that learning is not linear—it is circular, continuous, and evolving. Circular learning brings us back to our reflections, encouraging us to revisit our growth and realign with our truths. It honors the cycles of learning, unlearning, and relearning, and invites us to live with intention, always grounded in truth and self-awareness.

The possibilities are endless:

  • What connections to do see between the Seven Grandfather Teachings and education?
  • What connections to do see between the Seven Grandfather Teachings and your teaching practice?

In this section

The Four Medicines

The four medicines are guiding principles that bind this framework. They provide teachings to support moving forward in a good way with one another, and within each ring with deep connections to the Creation Story.

Tobacco

tobaccoTobacco is the first plant that was gifted to us, and it reminds us of the gift of communication:

“Tobacco has a special relationship to other plants: it is said to be the main activator of all the plant spirits. It is like the key to the ignition of a car. When you use it, all things begin to happen. Tobacco is always offered before picking medicines. When you offer tobacco to a plant and explain why you are there, that plant will let all the plants in the area know why you are coming to pick them.” (Anishnawbe Health Toronto).

Within education, this knowledge guides our communication, our thoughts, and feelings within a learning environment. We offer tobacco to Elders who guest speak within courses or programs. We can also embrace the teachings of tobacco to start our classes in a good way: be transparent, communicate with learners, and be open and honest. Build positive, respectful, and reciprocal relationships in learning environments with this understanding of communication. Build safer spaces by reciprocally communicating the expectations of learners for the course but also ask the learners about their expectations from the teacher from each other.

Sweetgrass

sweetgrassSweetgrass is the hair of Mother Earth and as our Mother Earth is kind to us, sweetgrass reminds us of the gift of kindness and the gentle teacher. Sweetgrass is also braided and teaches us about the strength of connection. We are stronger when braided together. The three strands are thought to represent mind, body, and soul as well as love, kindness, and honesty. The teachings of Sweetgrass inspired the title of this Framework. We braid this framework together, uniting pedagogical practices together, as we are stronger together, to create positive learning environments for all learners and diverse ways of teaching. Braiding sweetgrass, much like Reconciliation, must be done together, not alone, and in that we see kindness with one another.

Within Education, this reminds us to be kind within our learning spaces and remember the original teachings. It reminds us about trauma-informed practice, and safer spaces, about the gentle teachers so learners feel confident to be curious and empowered to ask questions.

Sage

Sage reminds us of the gift of clarity. Sage is often burned to see, hear, think, speak and feel good things; this is known as smudging.

Within education Sage’s teachings remind us of clarity in the classroom; to move forward in a good way with one another, we take interconnections from sweetgrass and tobacco’s teachings to form clarity in what we are doing.

Cedar

cedar branchesCedar reminds us of the gift of ceremony and represents restoration or protection. When burned it crackles and calls to the ancestors.

Everyone has the right to feel safe within their education and Cedar reminds us that learning is a life-long ceremony which calls on knowledge from the past, knowledge from our Ancestors, to support the Seven Generations of the Future.

The Seven Grandfather Teaching

The Seven Grandfather Teachings teach us about a strength-based approach to learning. Bell is one individual who tells us the teaching:

“Anishinaabe Bimaadiziwin is lived according to the seven original teachings or ancestral teachings embedded within an Anishinaabe philosophy of life. These original teachings are the guiding principles for the way in which individuals are to treat each other and can be articulated in relation to how individuals are to treat the natural environment. The original teachings can be defined as follows: – Love: capacity for caring and desire for harmony and well-being in interpersonal relationships and with the environment. – Honesty: to act with the utmost honesty and integrity in all relationships, including relating to the environment, recognizing the inherent autonomy, dignity, and freedom of oneself, others, and all living things Respect: recognizing the interdependence and interrelationships of all life, to relate to one another with generosity, an ethic of sharing, and a collective consciousness and cooperation. – Truth: conscious of the need for kindness and respecting the integrity of oneself, others, and the natural environment; to exercise strength of character and self-mastery in order to generate and maintain peace, harmony and well-being within oneself, the collective community, and the planet we all share. – Bravery: the exercise of courage and bravery on the part of the individual so that the quality of life and inherent autonomy of oneself, others, and the natural world can be exercised in an atmosphere of security, peace, dignity and freedom. – Wisdom: the respect for that quality of knowing and gift of vision in others and all living things, and striving for the same within oneself, that encompasses the holistic view, possesses spiritual quality, and is expressed in the experiential breadth and depth of life. – Humility: the recognition of ourselves as a sacred and equal part of Creation, and in the honoring of all of life which is endowed with the same inherent autonomy, dignity, freedom and equality which leads to a sensitivity toward others and a desire for good relations and balance with all of life.” (Bell, p. 95, 2013).

Within education the Seven Grandfather Teachings can be embraced in many ways. Respect, relationships, reciprocity while learning are included. We also can embrace these teachings to honour the knowledge of those who have taught us, to ensure integrity of the self, to learn from experience and be open to hear about other’s experiences.

How do the Seven Grandfather's Teachings fit into the Rings?

Reflective Practice / Truth (Turtle)

turtleTruth, as carried by the Turtle, teaches us to honor both the journey and the destination. Reflective practice invites us to pause and acknowledge where we are on our path—recognizing our strengths with humility and identifying areas for growth with honesty. In living our truth, we show sincerity and integrity in all that we say and do, walking in alignment with our values and purpose.

Fostering Inclusivity – Love (Eagle)

eagleLove, represented by the Eagle, reminds us of the sacred teaching of all my relations—that we are all interconnected. Fostering inclusivity means embracing each person and the Earth with the same unconditional love. It is through love that we create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and respected and moving with compassion.

Mindful Learning – Bravery (Bear)

bearThe Bear teaches us that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the courage to face it. Mindful learning requires us to be brave—to open our minds, challenge our assumptions, and step into the unknown. It is an act of strength to engage deeply with learning, to contribute authentically, and to grow through vulnerability and self-discovery.

Empowering Curiosity – Respect (Buffalo)

buffaloThe Buffalo embodies respect through its gentle strength and generosity. At Durham College, a culture of respect empowers learners to be curious—to ask questions, explore new ideas, and honor diverse perspectives. Respect creates the foundation for curiosity to thrive, where knowledge is shared and received with openness and care.

Creating Connection – Humility (Wolf)

wolfThe Wolf teaches us humility through its role in the pack—valued for connection and contribution. Creating meaningful connections begins with recognizing that we are a sacred part of creation, no greater or lesser than any other being. In humility, we listen deeply, build relationships, and walk together in mutual support and belonging.

Authentic Experiences – Wisdom (Beaver)

beaverWisdom, carried by the Beaver, is found in the stories we share and the experiences we live. Authentic learning happens when we engage with real-world challenges, reflect on our journeys, and learn from one another. The Beaver reminds us that wisdom is not just knowledge, but the ability to apply it with purpose, creativity, and care for the collective good.

Knowledge Creation – Honesty (Raven or Sabe)

sabeThe Raven teaches us honesty in how we understand and express who we are. Knowledge creation is an act of responsibility—gathering insights from community, experience, and spirit, and sharing them with integrity. The Raven reminds us that we are gifted with knowledge not to keep it hidden, but to use it to uplift, inform, and inspire others. To be honest with ourselves is to use our gifts to thrive, and uplift community.

Circular Learning – Truth (Turtle)

turtleAs we return to the Turtle, we are reminded that learning is not linear—it is circular, continuous, and evolving. Circular learning brings us back to our reflections, encouraging us to revisit our growth and realign with our truths. It honors the cycles of learning, unlearning, and relearning, and invites us to live with intention, always grounded in truth and self-awareness.

The possibilities are endless:

  • What connections to do see between the Seven Grandfather Teachings and education?
  • What connections to do see between the Seven Grandfather Teachings and your teaching practice?