The Seven Grandfathers tell us that the Creator says:

Each of these 7 teachings must be used with the rest; you cannot have wisdom without love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth…to leave one out is to embrace the opposite of what that teaching is.

To know true love is to know peace. This painting represents the teaching of Love. Although the Eagle is the animal symbol for this teaching, the hummingbirds were chosen because it is also a spirit animal in Aboriginal spirituality. The hummingbird symbolizes the enjoyment of life and lightness of being; they teach us to lift up negativity wherever it creeps in, and express love more fully in our daily endeavours.

Artist: Austin Elijah, age 25

I am from Southwold Ontario, Oneida Nation, and I am a film maker and musician. In the community I make short films about my language and culture. Making those films made me proud of what I was doing for my community, and who I am representing in my heritage to show to future generations. That is what these paintings mean to me; they are something to show to those who come after me. I want to preserve my culture, almost like I am a warrior saving my people. It’s a good feeling; that’s what these paintings are giving me. I am proud and honoured to be asked to use my talents from the Creator in this way. To Queen’s University, I am so thankful.

The Seven Grandfathers tell us that the Creator says

Each of these 7 teachings must be used with the rest; you cannot have wisdom without love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth…to leave one out is to embrace the opposite of what that teaching is.

To honour all creation is to have respect. Live honourably in teachings and in your actions towards all things.  Do not waste and be mindful of the balance of all living things.  Share and give away what you do not need.  Treat others the way you would like to be treated.  Do not be hurtful to yourself or others.

Artist: Cameron ‘Bubzy’ Martin, age 40

Tewasarake Kaniakehaka Wakataioni Nation: Wolf Clan; Iroquois Confederacy Ohswe: Ken

tentsi tewanoweraton ne tekanawita ta non skenna kowa. Ne ne sonkwiatison neyetinistenha.

I am happy to participate in the Queen’s University Art project. It makes me feel good to contribute. Art is its own language, and a bridge between our Nations; a positive first step toward peaceful reconciliation.

Ohna-ehto-wakiro

Nia weh

The Seven Grandfathers tell us that the Creator says

Each of these 7 teachings must be used with the rest; you cannot have wisdom without love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth…to leave one out is to embrace the opposite of what that teaching is.

In this painting you see the Turtle, which represents the teaching of Truth. The Turtle is symbolic of truth because he was here during the creation of Mother Earth, and carries the teachings of life on his back. In this painting, it shows that the turtle is supporting an Elder, Eagle and feather. This signifies all the turtle carries, and that he understands the importance of what he brings on the journey. The turtle walks in a slow and gentle way on mother earth, because he knows the meaning of doing your best to learn from what the Creator offers up to us, and to apply it throughout our own journey.

Artist: Charlie Qrunnut, age 24

My name is Charlie Qrunnut, and I live in Igloolik Nunavut and am 24 years old. I am adopted by my parents, and we lived in a small island of 2,000 people. I was raised traditionally in an outpost camp in the summer time, and I would leave to go to school away from home through winter and spring. I lived my whole life going hunting almost every time there was good weather. My first language is Inuktitut, and I am a single father back home. I am also a firefighter back home, and I like to help people. My main hobby is drawing and art, and so this project has meant a lot to me to participate with such an impressive university such as Queen’s.

The three pillars Tekanawita/the Peace Maker; Skenna/Peace; Kasa:stensera/ Power and Kanikonriioh/ the Good Mind-Spirit are the three concepts that are essential to the whole of learning on Mother Earth. Not just the Mohawk Nation, these three learning gifts are the foundation of the Kai ia nare kowa/ great law of peace, still in practice today where the Iroquois Confederacy reign; the oldest functioning sovereign democracy in the world. We of the Haudenosaunnee Nations wish to invite every nation of the world to follow the roots of peace back to their source in order to preserve the minds of the next 7 generations.

Artist: Cameron ‘Bubzy’ Martin, age 40

Tewasarake Kaniakehaka Wakataioni Nation: Wolf Clan; Iroquois Confederacy Ohswe: Ken

tentsi tewanoweraton ne tekanawita ta non skenna kowa. Ne ne sonkwiatison neyetinistenha.

I am happy to participate in the Queen’s University Art project. It makes me feel good to contribute. Art is its own language, and a bridge between our Nations; a positive first step toward peaceful reconciliation.

Ohna-ehto-wakiro

Nia weh

My painting is symbolic of the traditional items that I can remember from growing up and being taught. I still remember the Wampum belts being used as a guide to narrate the Haudenosaunee history, traditions and laws. I can still taste the traditional foods (berries, beans, corn) that we used to grow and eat; that we used for ceremonies. That pipe represents the burning of that tobacco that we smoke and lay down to offer prayers and give thanks to all the living things—plants, animals, water, the sun and the moon—which provide us all on mother earth with what we need to survive.

Artist:  Joseph Sickles, age 38

I am of Iroquois Confederation from Oneida First Nation; Bear Clan.