Traditions and Money

The constant song in the Anishnabe community is, 'We must go back to our traditional style of living.' The problem with this, is that today's youth don't see this as a means of moving ahead and improving their own lives. What's a parent to do?

Our grandparents did a lot of hunting and gathering for food stuffs. They got money through trapping, working here and there but steadily building up the means for better equipment to hunt and gather. Money for a rifle, traps, fish nets, a boat, and maybe a car or truck. Unfortunately, employment was limited due to acts of discrimination. Maybe grandmother was skilled enough to make clothes for her children and if not, all the children had to wear and bear the stigma of wearing Salvation Army clothes.

A problem faced by today's Anishnabe youths is having been taught the importance of money to the point that it is all, that is important. Nevermind being taught to respect their elders, neighbors, men, women, or teachings of their Pow Wow regalia, roles in the community, Mother Earth, Grandparent teachings, and spirituality. They have learned, money makes the world go round and buying power and material wealth, is everything and above all else.

Simultaneously, there are the children who have parents who have paying jobs through luck, nepotism, popularity or education. They have learned to have no appreciation or respect for anything or anyone and includes themselves and their own parents. A resulting behavior of getting their way and everything they wanted without earning the privilege. They don't understand, learn or value the concept of *earning* their own way.

Material wealth is a high priority for modern Anishnabe parents and is reflected in their children.

A question amongst the youths is, 'How can we live both traditionally and modern in this day and age?' I believe that all our Anishnabe elders ask of us is simply, have our youths be able to survive off the land along with surviving today's society. Survival keeps the hope of our peoples' continuity for our future existence, intact. A wise request that should not be ignored but followed.

Preparing our youths to survive with and without todays' technology are excellent skills to possess. They should be able to identify the best fishing grounds, best hunting times, best hunting grounds, boundaries of their respective reserves, filleting a fish, skinning a hide, cutting game, navigate through their reserves'lay of the land, track animals, edible berries and herbs, non edible plants, medicinal plants, navigate the bodies of waters on their reserves, survive the seasons of their land. Learn how to eat, drink, clothe, from what's available on their lands. How many of our Anishnabe youths can claim knowledge of these skills?

The best method for parents to have their children learn is starting them young. Youths can still take it upon themselves to learn on their own also. Take a look around your community and ask if there is somebody who still hunts and fishes. The more regular and consistent this person does these activities the more knowledgeable he or she will be with knowing the best places. Learn from your elders or choose one you respect and never stop learning. Read books and maps if you need but never stop learning the best and the secrets of your Anishnabe community.