Book review: The Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings

Reviewed by Karl Hele

James Vukelich’s The Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings is a marvellous discussion of some of the fundamentals of Anishinaabeg life and teachings. His exploration is grounded in both Anishinaabemowin and story. Through the use of story, the work is readily accessible, educational, and a fun read. The materials that Vukelich drew upon for the work come from his many public talks as well as his Ojibwa Word of the Day series that draws upon a deep love and respect for Anishinaabemowin. This knowledge, in turn, is based upon many years working with language speakers and Elders to learn about the language’s deep grounding in our philosophical outlook on life and the world, as well as intensive study and practice.

Vukelich divides the work into two sections – “Part 1: The Seven Generations” and “Part 2: Seven Grandfather Teachings” – that consist of four and eight chapters respectively. Part 1 begins by introducing the concept of seven generations as explained through language – that we are all our relations.  I specifically liked the discussions in Chapter 3 where Vukelich explains that Elders will avoid using Niin (I, me, myself), which is comparable to the Latin ego, because it is self-centric and does not work with our concept of Indiawemaaganidog, “all of my relatives’ or ‘I am all of my relatives and all my relatives are me” (31). I also learned a great deal from his explanation of Mino-Bimaadiziwin by breaking it down into various parts or morphemes and by combining that explanation with a story. This leads Vukelich to conclude that Mino-Bimaadiziwin means something in English akin to “the eternal is moving through the impermanent in perfect peace and balance with all of its relatives” (39).  You need to read Part 1 carefully to understand its connections to the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

Part 2 explores the meanings and Vukelich’s understandings of Seven Grandfather Teachings. Like the preceding section, much of the remaining chapters are dedicated to exploring the Anishinaabemowin roots of the teachings. For instance, in Part two, Chapter 1, he speaks of debwewin or truth. After exploring the root words that make up debwewin, Vukelich concludes that the idea of truth is eternal and is something that a person can only know a portion of based on their experiences and knowledge (45-6) . Each chapter is a lesson, as presented through the story of the vision quest. While Vukelich explores and offers teachings about the deeper meanings, many of which defy exact English translation, he does so through the story of the vision quest. For example, the quest teaches youth about what it is like to be alone and without sustenance, which helps create empathy for those without.  I also liked how in Chapter 6: Gwayakwaadiziwin, he links ‘honesty’ to the core concept of Mino-Bimaadiziwin to partially explain why people may lie or mislead – they are off-balance (71-2).

Vukelich’s concluding chapter offers more questions than answers. In asking the questions, he is offering an insight for people to try with honesty and wisdom to live the best life possible, or Mino-Bimaadiziwin, through the lessons of the seven generations and Grandfather Teachings.  Overall, this book is too short to encapsulate all that Vukelich has to offer. I hope he plans to write a few more books that explore Anishinaabeg life, culture, and philosophy through language and story. Regardless, it is an excellent read for anyone within any age group seeking to learn.

James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, The Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.  Burnsville, MN: James Vukelich, 2023.

ISBN: ‎ 979-8988531302