Ojibway tradition tells us that there were Seven Grandfathers, who where given the responsibility by the Creator to watch over the Earth’s people.  They sent their Osh-ka-bay-wis (helper) to the Earth to walk among the people and bring them a person who could be taught how to live in harmony with Creation.  A baby boy was chosen by the Osh-ka-bay-wis to bring to the wise Seven Grandfathers who would teach this child the significance of the four sacred directions and how one was to live a good life.  Each Grandfather gave the child a gift that would enable him to live a good life- provided he instructed his people the right way to use each gift- for each gift has an opposite.  The Gifts of the Seven Grandfathers are Nbwaakaawin:

To cherish knowledge is to know WISDOM, Zaagidwin: To know LOVE is to know PEACE, Mnaadendiwin: To honour all of Creation is to have RESPECT, Aakde’win: BRAVERY is to face the foe with integrity, Gwekwaadziwin: HONESTY in facing a situation is to be brave, Dbandendizwin: HUMILITY is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation and Debwewin: TRUTH is to know all these things. – EddieBenton-Benai,Midewewin, Mishomis Book,1988.