This resonates with me. Modern western therapy tells you this too. but what many don't often understand is that grief isn't just about death. It's about loss, period. Amazing job opportunity you didn't get, messy breakup, heartbreaking rejection. All of these and more cause one to grieve. Not only is it a very heavy emotion but it sticks with you for a long time if you don't deal with it. It changes who you are. Sours your soul. Cleansing, whatever form it might take for someone, is really important.

Very different from the government that we know. Then again, I imagine the types of 'crimes' committed in indigenous society are usually less severe than the ones we see in other parts of Canada. Drug dealing, murder, other serious crimes of this nature I imagine were nonexistent back in Elder Paul's day.

Interesting. I'm not sure I understand. What's a moral without the intent to teach? Perhaps what I'm missing is that, teaching isn't the main intention. Perhaps the 'learning' was just a byproduct of the story told. Maybe its the word choice throwing me off. I thought teaching was the focus.

A lot of us, as we get older, stop moving. Especially in Canada and the United States from what I've noticed. You get old, and that's that, you're frail and infirm. But, among societies and individuals that value movement they stay young in spirit for a lot longer than those who stop moving. I think back to a video I saw of Chinese aunties doing tai chi in the streets. Or to my friend's papa who's still riding a bike in his 80s. Or even to my own grandparents, who for whatever reason choose to live in newfoundland. They still Garden and work, they move. Hard work is important! it sucks but it keeps us going. it keeps us healthy. A concept I'm just starting to understand at 19.

It's interesting how similar but yet how different groups can interpret things and values. On paper, respect is, I'd argue, universal. While in practice, what you apply 'respect' too, varies so much as cultures place different values on respect. Further, the use of the Ten Commandments is an interesting choice. It is supposed to be a moral doctrine, to tell christians how to behave. This makes me think of commandment 8 "Thou shall not steal." The mental gymnastics of the missionaries and settlers in early canada to justify colonization as not stealing is unfortunate. Though obvious, I must still mention, they interpreted their own documents to suit their needs.

This seems to be a common sentiment among many indigenous peoples. I think it has to do with respect and, this might be a stretch, reciprocity. You cannot take something from someone without asking, its rude. I am unsure if this applies to the Sliammon people, but the Ojibwe considered everything to be its own people, including the trees. Because of this, you had to ask if you needed to take, and you only take as much as you need. By this logic, it would be rude to take from the trees without asking.

I learned that in Ojibwe culture they have two chieftain clans; crane and loon. I wonder if the Sliammon had something similar. Also, as a student of politics, I wonder how the legitimacy of the "hays qaymix" is established. What happens if they perform poorly? How do they enforce their community rules?

I think this is an interesting comparison. Parents, Grandparents, Legal guardians, the good ones are a lot like coaches. Further, they understand their goal is to guide or "train." Similarly, they instill good values in us. One value that Parents and Coaches share is good work ethic, as was described in the text.

I find this statement interesting. It is further evidence for the divide in understanding of land ownership between indigenous peoples and chimookomanag (white men/americans in ojibwe). As myself, who grew up in western ideologies, find this concept difficult to understand. This cooperation isn't something often found in the west, a lot of emphasis is put on territory and land ownership. More than I thought.

I think this really stresses the value of oral teachings, and the respect you had to place on them. One lapse in attention, and the information is gone or misinterpreted. Further, the word choice here, "had," frames listening to these stories as a duty or obligation. Framing it in this way I think furthers my point as to the great respect oral teachings need.