Page 8: Introduction

August 12, 2025, 4:16 PM

(Dear Reader: Caps, Bold, underlining, and highlighting are mine.rk.)

“Life has a way of guiding us toward the paths we are destined to walk.”

“Perhaps due to the fact that I have spent decades teaching Ojibwe language and culture, people are often surprised to learn that I did not hear the language spoken until I was 25 years old experience connecting with the language later in life is not unique. Throughout history, many efforts were made to prevent the survival of indigenous people, language, and culture, and as a result, many indigenous traditions were lost. Both my mother and grandmother attended residential boarding schools, where administrators and teachers suppressed the cultural practices that connect indigenous people to our roots, and they were not able to pass their traditions down to their children as their Anishinaabe ancestors had done.”

“I myself grew up in small-town Minnesota, where I had little exposure to Anishinaabe culture. During my college years, I made the life-altering decision to enroll in an elective Ojibwe language course that became the catalyst for a profound awakening. As I immersed myself in the language, I was struck by the depth of wisdom embedded within, offering answers to life’s fundamental questions. It felt as though my ancestors were whispering truths, patiently waiting for them to be uncovered.”

my note: IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO HIM, IT CAN HAPPEN TO ME.RK.

“The next decade of my life was dedicated to learning and sharing the richness of the Ojibwe language and culture. I sought out elders and native speakers across the upper Midwest, preserving their stories and insights as part of the Ojibwe Language Dictionary project. I taught the language in public K-12 schools, universities, and at community language tables. But it was during my darkest hour that the true power of my indigenous culture became apparent to me. I had entered a bleak chapter of my life – I was battling depression, addiction, and the weight of financial hardship. It was during this time that I once again turned to the language and found the instructions for living a life of “Minobimaadiziwin” or “the good life,” had been there all along.”

“I gave my first talk on the Sevenn Generations and Seven Grandfather teachings during the same year I hit rock bottom. Little did I know that these teachings would become the guiding principles that would help me rebuild my life and offer a beacon of light to others.

In that vulnerable moment, standing before a small audience, I felt then that it was my CALLING to share this wisdom with the world.”

my note: IF HE CAN DO IT, SO CAN I. RK.

“In the pages that follow, I explain the spiritual translations of these teachings that have been passed down through generations and offer timeless wisdom for our modern lives.

Together, let us embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation as we uncover the SECRETS to living a life of Mino-bimaadiziwin, “the good life,” through an exploration of the Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.”

my note: sounds like an INVITATION to me! rk.