The 7 Grandfather Teachings and How They Can Support Healing

The Seven Grandfather Teachings are powerful guideposts rooted in Anishinaabe tradition, offering timeless wisdom for living in balance with oneself, others, and all of creation. While not all Indigenous Nations teach or interpret these teachings in the same way, many recognize their relevance as part of a broader spiritual and cultural framework.

These teachings aren’t just for reflection—they are a call to action. If we embodied them in our lives—at home, at work, and in our relationships—the way we connect to each other, to the land, and to ourselves might profoundly shift. For survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), the Seven Grandfather Teachings offer a compassionate, strength-based lens for reclaiming power, voice, and belonging.

Using the Nottawaseppi Band of the Potawatomi Federal Tribal Government website’s (Seven Grandfather Teachings | NHBP) guide to the Seven Grandfather teachings, let’s explore how each teaching can serve as a gentle companion on the healing journey:

Love

“For one to love and accept themselves is to live at peace with the Creator and in harmony with all of creation.”

Love begins with self-acceptance. For survivors, this can be one of the hardest steps. Trauma often leaves behind deep wounds of unworthiness and shame. But love, as a teaching, invites us to return to ourselves with compassion—to view our bodies and stories not as broken, but as sacred. Through love, we find peace, not perfection.

Respect

“There should be no part of creation that should be excluded from the honor that we are to give.”

Respect reminds us that every person has inherent value. That includes survivors. When we acknowledge someone’s truth, we show them respect. When we respect ourselves—our limits, our needs, our past—we create space for healing. Respect is the antidote to shame. It’s how we reclaim dignity and self-worth after trauma.

Bravery

“We face life with the courage to use our personal strengths to face difficulties, stand tall through adversity, and make positive choices.”

Bravery doesn’t always look bold. Sometimes, it’s just surviving the day. Sometimes, it’s sharing your truth out loud for the first time. For survivors, bravery is in every small act of healing—asking for help, saying “no,” setting a boundary, or simply waking up and continuing

Truth

“We must understand, speak, and feel the truth, while also honoring its power.”

Truth is often uncomfortable, but essential. Naming what happened is part of reclaiming our voice. Denial can protect us temporarily, but long-term healing asks us to face what hurts so we can begin to release it. Living in our truth, even when it’s painful, brings us closer to our authentic selves—and to the future we deserve.

Honesty

“We must allow truth to be our guide. We must first be honest with ourselves. This will allow us to be honest with others.”

Honesty means acknowledging our feelings and experiences without minimizing them. It takes courage to look inward and say, “This happened, and it mattered.” Honesty is the bridge between truth and connection. It helps us build relationships rooted in integrity and authenticity—starting with ourselves.

Humility

“We should never think of ourselves as being better or worse than anyone else.”

Trauma can create isolation. Survivors often carry the belief that no one else could possibly understand. Humility reminds us that we’re not alone. We’re not worse or less than anyone else. We are part of a much larger human story—each of us figuring out life as best we can. When we embrace humility, we create space to grow, to make mistakes, and to feel connected to others and to something greater than ourselves.

Wisdom

Wisdom doesn’t just come from books or formal learning—it comes from lived experience. Survivors hold deep wisdom forged in the fire of adversity. When we slow down and truly listen—to ourselves, to others, to the land—we begin to see how much we know. Healing opens the door to sharing that wisdom with others who may be walking the same path.

Walking Gently, Together

The Seven Grandfather Teachings are lifelong companions. They invite us to live with intention, to honor ourselves and each other, and to deepen our connection with the natural world. For survivors of CSA, these teachings offer a language for healing that is rooted in dignity, balance, and strength.