Seven sacred teachings cards introduced

Thunder Bay Police Const. John Walmark and artist Patrick Cheechoo have created a set of seven sacred teachings flash cards to educate youth about their culture.
“We need to create understanding and what better way than to start with the young and start with something that engages them and they love to do,” Walmark said during the June 19 launch of the cards. “They can colour the image on the front and they can learn about the teachings (on the back) and go through them with their parents.”
The 5.5 by 8.5 inch cards feature images depicting the seven sacred teachings of love, truth, bravery, honesty, humility, wisdom and respect on the front and descriptions of the seven sacred teachings on the back.
“We’ve found that other people want them as educating tools when they’re teaching adult groups,” Walmark said. “So it’s not just something that is going to have an impact on the Aboriginal community, but on the non-Aboriginal community as well. It’s going to affect all age groups and anyone who is interested.”
Walmark said the Thunder Bay Police Service is planning to make PDF images of the cards available on its website so people can download and use the information anywhere across Ontario, Canada and the world.
“It will be attached to the Aboriginal Liaison’s website within the police service,” Walmark said. “One of the reasons why we created them was because we saw the need to be able to share these teachings at no cost.”
Economy Printing and Thunder Bay District Crime Stoppers provided assistance to the project and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care hosted the launch during its annual end-of-the-year barbeque feast and celebration.
“The seven teachings are a gift that’s been passed down to us from the Elders for many generations now and they are meant to help guide us and to help us achieve balance and well-being in our life,” said Tina Bennett, Dilico’s assistant director of Mental Health and Addiction. “They are a guide for children and families to help them along their way.”
Raven Sutherland, parent of three children who took part in the introduction of the cards, was happy to see the seven sacred teachings being made available for children.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to learn about their teachings and what’s behind it,” Sutherland said.
Sutherland said the information on the seven sacred teachings cards should be incorporated into every school system.
“It’s a great way to do it,“ Sutherland said. “It’s something hands on for them.”