Elder Teachings

Something I have been gifted with while here in Beaver are a few teachings from Elders. Some have ranged from small sayings to large world views. Sometimes it takes you awhile to figure out what an elder really means- but part of the teaching is the thinking you have to do to get to the meaning behind it.

This was especially so at the North Peace Tribal Council's Women's Gathering. It was a beautiful conference that included empowering speakers, a women's role in healing from intergenerational trauma (both Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop), self care stations (haircuts, nails, eyebrows, makeup!), and small sessions in tipis ranging from Rites of Passage to Tea and Bannock. I was lucky enough to go to this for two days and shuttle a few people from the community to High Level. An Elder from BFN, Mary Francis, was recognized for her work teaching the Beaver Language (a branch off of Dene/Athapaskan languages) and providing school supplies to children.

I thought I would share with you a few lighthearted teachings from this conference:

1. Don't leave strands of your hair around- or else you will have to spend your time collecting them in the afterlife

2. Don't step over an elder's hat

3. Don't make fun of people who are handicapped - if you do, your children will have the same fate

4. Don't rub your nails together when the northern lights are out- it calls spirits down to you

5. Don't put your shoes on the wrong feet- if you do, you'll come across a bear

6. Don't tease too much

7. Don't play with fire- you'll pee your bed

These seven little teachings can sometimes cross the line into superstition or may just seem downright silly- they did to me when they were first said! But upon further reflection, they serve a purpose, similar to how fairytales do. They embed respect, common sense, and attention to detail.

I'll share with you three teachings that are forever going to shape my professional life as a community planner. Some of these teachings were first told to me by Henry, BFN Councillor and past Chief- but I have heard many community members repeat these too:

1. Plan for 7 Generations- This is said amongst many communities, yet nobody seems to know why exactly 7. The idea is, 7 generations down the road, your community should find Mother Earth protected in the same way today. You must think sustainably.

2. Water is Life- the moment we cease to have clean and readily available water our society as we know it will change forever. I have been told stories from Elders of being able to drink from puddles in a ditch when they were children, but now, many First Nations in Canada do not have clean drinking water today. I am very lucky this summer to be in a community that has a functioning water treatment plant just down the hill, and a new one being built just this summer.

3. Untouched Land Has Value Too- in Land Use Planning, we learn that untouched land isn't inherently valuable. A forest is just a forest until plans for housing or schools or infrastructure have been made. But the opposite is true for First Nations. Land has utmost value untouched and only decreases when we decide to alter it.

So, to various community members who have taken the time to teach me these things (who are not all necessarily Elders); Mahsi Cho. I'll carry these lessons forever.