First Nations Elders


General Information

Elders who follow the life ways of First Nations generally expect tobacco to be offered for information or any other request that requires spiritual guidance. Therefore protocol in gatherings is very important considering the diversity of belief systems in First Nations. One way of addressing this issue is to allow Elders to take tobacco from an offered bowl or a pouch of tobacco. In this way the person accepts or declines the tobacco and everyone is comfortable. Gifts are appropriate for those who do not accept tobacco. Gift and/or honoraria are used to indicate how much the service is valued. Some Elders like a cup of tea and a lunch as a sign of respect and thankfulness when individually they are asked to come to the school.

Each First Nation has its own protocol. In some First Nations, the Elders offer their teaching as a grandmother or grandfather teaching their grandchildren therefore tobacco, gifts and honoraria are not required but respect is shown in other ways.


For example, the organizations may have a dinner in the Elders honor during the year or give them gifts at Christmas or honor them in other ways.

Paying an Elder an honorarium is common place since Elders also need to live & eat. Elders carry a great deal of knowledge that is of equal value to a university education and this must be respected at all times.

In discussing “self-government” with elders, they referred to a concept that is common to all First Nations languages and cultures. This concept defines the basis for “self-government” as we seek it through the Framework Agreement Initiative.

“Tiipayniimisoowin is owning yourself & your destiny. It is a right given to all people by the Creator. It is what makes us human.”
Joseph I. Keeper

“In our Anishinabe language, we understand the concept of Tipentisowin, which means that the Creator gave us laws that we should live by. The Creator gave us everything we need to live. This is how we should understand the Treaties.”
Elder Mervin Huntinghawk



The Indian Prayer

O, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind, and whose breath gives life to all the world; hear me, I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom.

Give me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know which is which.

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made, and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise, so that I may understand the lessons you have taught my people.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden under every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.

Let me not judge my brother until I have walked a day in his moccasins.

Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.

So, when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.

Meegwetch


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