Brief Summary
The Pembina Chippewa are an Anishinaabe people whose origin mythology reaches back to the re-creation of North America following a great flood. North America is a relatively new term relating to Italian Explorer Amerigo Vespucci. In 1507, only 15 years after Columbus first arrived, German Cartographer (map maker) Martin Waldseemuller would use Amerigo’s name placing it over what is known as South America in honor of the Italian explorer. Amerigo Vespucci was the first explorer to dispute Columbus and state that this discovered area was an entirely new land, not the east indies.
However, for millennia, the indigenous peoples referred to this land as Turtle Island, as it had the shape of a Turtle, and according to oral creation stories rose from the water (after a great flood) much like a turtle would.
Laws were given to the first peoples that assisted in living in harmony with each other and the natural world that surround them. These are known as the first laws of the Anishinaabe peoples.
(from Iroquois Mythology)
The Anishinaabe Peoples
Principle Law
The Origin of First Law
All things in all forms in all degrees in all places are Spirit. This Spirit exists from One Source, One Creator, and there is One Law governing all of Creation. All things under the Sun, are Nourished equally by the Sun, and shall exist in Co-Existence.
The Creator made Man as the last form of life to be placed on Turtle Island. Man exists as Spirit in the image of the Creator with a body of flesh provided by the Mother Earth and is given Creator’s Law to live in brotherhood with all life that surrounds him, in Co-Existence.
All Original Peoples of Turtle Island are endowed by their Creator, the One Creator of all things visible and invisible, who placed them on Turtle island as recorded in our Creation Story first in oral form following the Great Flood, and next upon birch bark scrolls. All Original Peoples of Turtle Island are bestowed by the One Creator with:
the Right of Abode upon Turtle Island,
the Right to Clean Water upon Turtle Island,
the Right to Sustenance upon Turtle Island,
the Right to Shelter upon Turtle Island, and
the Right of Individual Freedom and Liberty upon Turtle Island
The Original Peoples of Turtle Island are only constrained to be good people and to think, speak, and act with the Heart, the compass of the Spirit, by following the sacred teachings and laws of Love, Courage, Humility, Truth, Respect, Wisdom, and Honesty in all that they do upon our Sacred Mother Earth.
All Original Peoples of Turtle Island are to honor the four sacred medicines given by the One Creator for the physical and spiritual well being of man: Sage, Semma, Sweet Grass, and Cedar.
The Original People of Turtle Island are to follow the seven grandfather teachings, which must be used all together in harmony and are considered laws of creation for humanity.
The Teaching of Love
Knowing love is to know peace therefore your love must be unconditional. Love the weak, love your friends, family, and strangers unconditionally. Love the widow, beggar and orphan equally as you love your spouse, sibling, and children.
The Law of Courage
Facing a problem with integrity is a true demonstration of bravery. Accept unpleasant consequences in the path of doing what is right. Be long suffering in adversity and choose good words and actions regardless of the outcome.
The Teaching of Humility
Humility is to know that we are a part of creation. Always consider yourself equal to one another. Never think of yourself as being better or worse than anyone else. Always show compassion, calmness, meekness, gentleness in voice and action, and with patience. Always maintain balance and equality with all of life, including plants, and animals.
The Teaching of Truth
Truth is having the knowledge of our cultural teachings. Never show deception to another, never commit and omission to another, and always speak truth on all things in all moments upon your walk upon Turtle Island.
The Teaching of Respect
A way to honor creation is by showing respect. Respect all parts of creation in all degrees whether they seem large or small, meaningful or inconsequential. Demonstrate honor and value to all people and things and show courteous consideration and appreciation. Honor the traditional teachings we have been given and the teachings and beliefs another has been given. Honor your families, others, and yourself. Do not to bring harm to anyone or anything intentionally.
The Teaching of Wisdom
To cherish knowledge and to apply it in your life is wisdom. Seek intelligence and knowledge from sunrise to sunset. Always use sound judgement and a positive attitude.
The Teaching of Honesty
Be honest first with yourself with truth and action. Be guided by truth and always be honest with yourself and others. Give full value to both the efforts of our own and others. Walk through life with integrity, truthfulness, and be trustworthy in all things.
The Teaching of Unity
Never shall the Original Peoples of Turtle Island use or allow the use of a river, a mountain, an invisible line upon Turtle Island to establish a means of division, or to determine the value and worth of another life.
The Teaching of Co-Existence
The Great Spirit is in all things; in the air we breathe, the birds, the trees, the flowers, the working bees, the fish in the seas, the creeping crawlers no one sees, in all of Creation equally. Therefore, Original Peoples are to refrain from selfishness and self-importance, greed and vanity, and to do all things with restraint in order to maintain balance and harmony with the Creation that surrounds them, of which does not require Man to exist, but Man requires to Exist.
All Original Peoples are charged to protect the Mother Earth. In doing so the Mother Earth will sustain the future generations whose promise we carry today in our actions. Harm the Mother Earth, and she will Cleanse you, even as illness is removed from a body by fever and water.
Therefore, have respect, concern, love in your heart for sustaining, protecting, and honoring life. Have care and concern for all items that sustain life, such as Water, Soil, and Sky and protect these things even as your own life.