Timing right for Gifts from the Seven Grandfathers

By Kelly Anne Smith

NIPISSING FIRST NATION— The timing is right for sparks of inspiration from new books by George Couchie.

Couchie’s 2016 book, Raised on an Eagle Feather, introduced traditional teachings and discussed the responsibilities of all members within the community.

Newly released, Gifts from the Seven Grandfathers, is a compilation of personal stories. It began about five years ago when Couchie was working with OPP officers on Native Awareness Training. Couchie is a cultural awareness trainer.

Couchie sent out a call out on Facebook for personal stories for his new book.

“It was amazing— the stories I got from people about their journey in life. And really, it’s about people’s tragedy and how they turn those tragedies around through the Seven Grandfather Teachings.”

George explained that Dan Couchie told his story for his book.

“He lived here in Nipissing at a young age back in the ’60s. He quit high school so he worked at the mill, Laidlaw lumber mill, when we had the mill in our community here. He cut four fingers off on one hand,” he recounted. “He said, ‘When I was starting to get better, compensation came and said you can go back to work but you can’t do what you were doing. You will have to be a secretary or something. Or we will send you to university or college.’ He said, ‘I went back to high school. I graduated from high school. I did really well when I went back. I got into Parks Canada… In his last few years working, he was the park ranger up at Pukaskwa National Park and then he worked in Newfoundland… He said to me, ‘If it wasn’t for me cutting my fingers off, I’d still be working in the wood mill for years.’ He said, ‘When I look back, the courage I needed or the bravery I needed to move on and do something else in my life.'”

Bob Wood, North Bay Mayor Al McDonald, former Callander Mayor Hec Levine, Dr. Mike Leckie, and Dr. Brenda Restoule contributed their stories for Gifts from the Seven Grandfathers.

Couchie recalls the life-changing story about a Boston policeman who calls himself the Beantown Cop.

“He got a call that someone at home needed a hand picking up something off the floor. He said, ‘I was so furious that I got this call that I had to go help somebody at their house. When I got there, there was a man lying in a bed that didn’t have any legs or arms. He dropped an instrument that would help him type on a computer or with his medication. He couldn’t reach it and his nurse wasn’t going to come. So, I helped him to fix his computer. After, I realized, police work isn’t just about chasing bad guys. It’s really about helping people. I really changed my way of looking at things,’” recollected Couchie. “Sometimes when people tell those stories about vulnerability, really, that’s what makes you stronger.”

Couchie penned a book with his granddaughter as well. Grace, a 16-year-old student at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall, co-wrote Creation of the Spark.

Couchie discusses the children’s book.

“The book is about how the Creator took a spark and put it into the sky. We call it Grandfather Sun. He took another spark and put it inside Mother Earth to keep her warm and that spark is put inside of everyone,” he explained. “The spark we all carry, in the book, is to teach everyone never to look down on anyone. Everyone has a spark. We need to share our spark to heal and take people out of the darkness.”

Gifts from the Seven Grandfathers and Creation of the Spark are available at Sandy’s Closet in Sturgeon Falls.