CHIPPEWAS OF THE THAMES COMMUNITY STORY - Cottfn

everyone had what they needed. If one of us was ―down‖, the rest would always help
out.
c. We were very affectionate in our families, lots of hugs and encouragement and warm
feelings.
d. We had traditional knowledge and teachings that were taught in the home. Our young
people grew up knowing where they came from, and they learned to see themselves
as valued and contributory members of a larger whole. From these teachings they got
a code to live by and wisdom to deal with life‘s challenges. Most of all we felt deeply
connected to each other. We also had a sense of purpose and direction for our life,
and we felt responsible to our families. We were willing to sacrifice and work hard for
our families.
e. We had a traditional knowledge of medicine available to use for healing. Healing was
a normal part of living.
f. We lived close to the land. Our livelihood depended on a deep and continuous
relationship with nature. We had to listen and learn from nature from our earliest
years. What we learned from nature becomes part of out spiritual life, we well as the
means to our survival.
g. Residential schools broke up our strong families, cultural connections, and forced us
to become disconnected from nature. When these disconnections occurred, bad
things started happening. Our people forgot about who they were. We began hurting
each other and ourselves. We forgot how to live a healthy life. We lost the knowledge
on how to effectively parent our children. These things are not permanently lost, but
they are hidden, and we need to get them back.
h. Life for young people (unmarried young men and women) was very structured and
disciplined. Everyone had their work to do everyday, and no one was allowed to stray
far from the watchful eye of elder family or community members. Behaviour was
strictly monitored, and young people were expected to be respectful, truthful,
courteous and kind to everyone (i.e., to follow the sacred teachings). As a result, our
young people remained much more a part of our families then they are today, and
they had far less trouble in their lives.
i. Many adult volunteers gave lots of time to teach youth a wide range of knowledge,
talents and skills, ranging from arts and crafts (such as sewing, beading, weaving,
Chippewas of the Thames Community Story
October 2011
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