Four
Directions
The Four
Directions represent the interconnectedness of the universe and
all its elements: plants, animals, humans and the environment in which
they live. The indigenous perspective views the world as a moving, changing,
life force in which birth and death are natural and necessary processes. Balance is maintained through the interdependency of the life forces. The
validity of this view rests on the knowledge of the fundamental relationships
and patterns at play in the world. To traditional indigenous peoples, the
world is sacred.
Starting
with the spirit that is created at the moment of conception, the nine-month
journey towards the birth of a baby marks the beginning of entry into the family unit. The journey continues with each stage of life as infant, child,
adolescent, adult, and elder. Development takes place spiritually, mentally,
physically and emotionally throughout the life journey however once you are a
parent, you are a parent for life.
However
just as a baby is completely dependent on adult care for its survival, adults depend
on their children for the regeneration, or continuation, of the life chain.
Traditionally the responsibilities associated with raising a child
belonged to a larger circle of all adults in the community. Today Cree
grandparents often continue to act as primary caregivers of their grandchildren
once they become youth to impart knowledge and values. In this way
children view those around them as extended family, creating a strong sense of
belonging and kinship.
The life
chain of plants and animals are similarly connected in the Four Directions and,
with the elements, the planets, the seasons, and the four sacred medicines,
provide the nourishment and the conditions to sustain life. Harmony exists when
this spider web of interconnecting threads is respected and understood. Life
begins in the spirit and returns to the spirit world following death.
Four
Aspects of Self
The
emotional, mental, spiritual and physical elements of ones’ life are referred
to as the Four Aspects of Self which, when taken together,
represent the four parts of one’s being. These elements are gifts from the
Creator, but each aspect commands responsibility in order to maintain healthy
balance of the self in all respects. Neglect of exercising any one element
leads to an imbalance of the whole in the traditional indigenous view.
There is a correlation between the Four Aspects of Self and the Four Directions in the Medicine
Wheel. The Eastern quadrant represents the beginning of a new day - a new life
- and just as the sun rotates in a clockwise direction to the south, west and
north, movement on the Medicine Wheel flows in the same direction. The baby is
represented by the east; youth is represented by the south; adulthood is
represented by the west, and elderhood is represented by the north.
Similarly, the spiritual element of self is associated with the east. The
spiritual connection to the baby in the eastern quadrant of the wheel comes
from its birth from spirit. The youth’s association with the physical aspect
of self comes from the growth that takes place during this stage and the
natural physical activity of children and adolescents. Adulthood is associated
with the emotional aspect of self. Maturity brings the awareness of feelings
and the confidence to express emotion. Life experience gives adults a broad
perspective to better understand the world and the journey everyone walks.
Adulthood provides the gift of recognizing what is important and the skill to
provide what is necessary to live well and to be happy and healthy. This
knowledge is what enables adults to make good parents. Elderhood is the fourth
and final stage in the cycle of life and is associated with the mental aspect
of self. This connection comes from the wisdom of age and experience.
With less responsibility at this stage of life for looking after children and
more time to reflect on life from a philosophical view, elders develop a
superior mental awareness.
The energy
shifts with each stage of life just as the knowledge and responsibilities
change. Just as no one can stay a baby or a child forever, change is a natural
process. The stages of life follow a natural flow of sequence, generation upon
generation.
The
Teepee
Values help
guide behaviour through the process of growing up, changing and handling
responsibilities. Personal values are what determine a person’s decisions and
actions. Social values are set by cultural beliefs as to what is important for
a community. There are fifteen traditional Cree cultural values that serve as
a guide for happy and healthy living. Each value is honoured in the
construction of a teepee which requires 15 poles - with each pole symbolizing
one value:
1.
Obedience –
accepting guidance and wisdom from others
2.
Respect – for
self and others
3.
Humility
–knowing that we are not above or below others in the circle of life
4.
Happiness –
showing enthusiasm to encourage others
5.
Love – love of
self and love of others, not things
6.
Faith – belief
in the spirit world
7.
Kinship –
relationships and bonds with parents, siblings, extended relatives, knowing
one’s home community
8.
Cleanliness –
spiritual cleanliness
9.
Thankfulness –
gratitude for life and for family
10.
Sharing –
sharing knowledge, stories, traditions, for future generations
11.
Strength –
spiritual strength to do things that are difficult
12.
Good Child
Rearing – guidance and protection of the sacred gift of children
13.
Hope – hope that
the women who are the life givers and the nurturers will carry on the teachings
to bring healthy spirited people into the world
14.
Ultimate
Protection – protection of the minds, spirit, emotions and health of the youth
15.
Control flaps
from winds – balance in life’s journey
These are
the sacred values that sustain the Cree spiritually, physically, emotionally and
mentally. The first three are considered the foundation of the teepee because
a teepee will not stand upright with only two poles, a minimum of three are
needed - just as you need a child and two parents to make a family.
A ceremony
is followed when erecting a teepee, with tobacco given to Mother Earth by a
woman in thanks for the use of all the materials to make the teepee, and the
doorway facing east. The teepee is symbolic of the sacredness of womanhood as
it stands with dignity; it provides warmth, comfort and shelter, and love and
care to the family. With the control flaps up, the teepee resembles an old
woman standing with her arms extended out in thanks. Women are named after the
fire that is built in the centre of the teepee.
The control
flaps are used to control the release of smoke and insects from the fire. When
they are positioned properly, all smoke and insects flow out through the
opening at the top of the teepee. So these flaps represent balance in life’s
journey.
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