7 fires

Seven Fires Student Name: School Name: Abstract This paper reflects an overall view of human development from the Aboriginal worldview perspective through Elder Danny Musqua teachings. The author attempts to survey the seven primary stages of human development that will comprise the holistic knowledgebase of these stages. He terms it as the Seven Fires of Life. Since the topic is complex and wide to represent it in a systematic way requires an intensive search. It reflects the challenges that come as a result of documenting and preserving Elder Danny’s Teachings. In addition, it articulates the knowledge of human development as rooted from North America’s knowledge system since it has been noted that modern technology impact has made this knowledge diminish. She further examines the Aboriginal culture and how from childhood people have acquired the Aboriginal knowledge through the lifelong process of oral traditions and experiential learning. Furthermore, she reflects her arguments on oral tradition as her major research methodology employed in her project. That oral tradition as a means of preserving and transmitting ideas to the people in the Aboriginal world is still regarded as a crucial guide to learning though it is of age. The benefits accrued from this project include the endorsing of Aboriginal methods and principles that are to be used in the education process, the role of the Elders as the key source in acknowledging oral tradition as a research methodology being emphasized, the establishment of a guide that can be used for research and education purposes and a forum organized in which the elder’s critical role as a guide and teacher will be shared. Introduction The Seven Fires Title: The Seven Fires: The lifelong process of Growth and Learning as explained by Salteaux Elder Danny Musqua Author: Diane Knight Publication data: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan 1999@Copyright Diana Knight, 1999.All rights reserved. Publisher: Head of Department of Educational Foundations, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. In summary, this book examines the seven stages of human development or “fires” as described by Elder Danny Masqua. Oral tradition in Salteaux describes the “fires” as a learning process of life (Seven Fires, 1999, p.10). The fires constitutes of a humanbeings’ life in the womb as a result of conception; one’s ability to walk; the fire of seven years; little women and men, the young adult, adulthood, the aged and finally death (Seven Fires, 1999, p. 10).Oral teachings and experiential are the key ingredients of attaining knowledge throughout the seven fires of human life and it involves the spirit, heart, mind and body as a holistic process. Furthermore, it reflects the understanding and appreciation for the Aboriginal Culture and tries to complement teachings in graduate study in Western society with the teachings attained through Salteaux learning traditions. Moreover, it encompasses the lifelong journey of learning as manifested through Salteaux oral traditions and it also tries to criticize how the colonization process has disrupted educational process for the aboriginal people. In addition, it touches on oral tradition methodology which encompasses many areas of knowledge; it gives a brief biography of Elder Danny Masqua, his views on the creation story, the purpose of one’s existence and the seven disciplines in life. Consequently, the author tries to examine the influence and effects of modern education in relation to the Aboriginal culture. It manifests the impact of Aboriginal worldview which assists individuals to appreciate their relationship with the universe, realize their communal purpose, form an identity and connect to their tradition. Impressions of the book The book teaches about an individual’s behavior and his perception of the world around him. It helps an individual to be in full recognition of his life through the various stages or “fires” of his life. He is able to learn through observation of other people’s behaviors’ especially those that surround and influence him. Through observing the aspects of nature, one is in a better position of becoming an influential and productive member of the society. For example in Elder Danny’s third fire he illustrates how a child is able to cope with outside circumstances and thus developing a sense of security because his or her home has structure. It comes when the child is able to learn and imitate his parents (Seven Fires, 1999, p. 49). The author tries to accumulate and assimilate Elder Danny Masqua’s oral literature into a timely written knowledge so that it will not diminish under the influence of modern technology. The author brings out an important aspect of the book which supports that teaching and learning in the traditional setup contributed to the survival and continuity of a spiritual, mental and physical well being of culture, its environment, the community and the family as a whole. That traditional culture has an important aspect which is easily passed on from one generation to another across the seven fires of an individuals’ life. The book tries to bridge the translation foundation into a contemporary frame of description and thought. Translation attempts to establish a culturally based, educational procedure founded on traditional tribal values and principles as it uses appropriate concepts and contents of modern education systematically. It portrays education as a healing process from the effects of colonization and positive developments in the developing communities. This book tries to portray Salteaux tradition with the view to human development as the concept of an individuals’ lifelong learning process through the attainment of knowledge using oral and experiential teachings. It acts a manual guide which can be used by parents, guardians and mentors as they try to bring up children. Opinions about the book Seven Fires is an informative book because the author uses descriptions that are informative in order to deliver meaningful information to his audience. The author illustrates how the book itself has helped her come in full contact with the Aboriginal society through membership by virtue of marriage. She brings out the importance of a marriage setup in the Aboriginal cultures and traditions. The book demonstrates means of appreciation and realization of cultural heritage from parental backgrounds and the ability to learn facts about ancestral traditions. It will be of assistance to parents as they will bring up children who will appreciate culture and not be detached from i...