Lifelong Learning

The Seven Generations Teachings

The Seventh Generation Principle or The Seven Generation Learning is based on an ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future. This is what is commonly known as today.

The first recorded concepts of the Seventh-Generation Principal date back to the writing of The Great Law of Haudenosaunee Confederacy, although the actual date is undetermined, the range of conjectures place its writing anywhere from 1142 to 1500 AD. The Great Law of Haudenosaunee Confederacy formed the political, ceremonial, and social fabric of the Five Nation Confederacy (later Six). The Great Law

of Haudenosaunee Confederacy is also credited as being a contributing influence on the American Constitution, due to Benjamin Franklin’s great respect for the Haudenosaunee system of government, which is interesting from the perspective that the United States formed their Constitution not on the principles of European governments, but rather on that of a people considered “savages”.

The Anishinaabeg Seven Generation Teachings is very similar however it more reflective on the generations that is part of your lifeline. Here is all the level of influence on you and the generations that you impact. You create the world for your future generations.

  • 1st Your Great Grandparents.
  • 2nd Your Grandparents.
  • 3rd Your Parents
  • 4th Your Present
  • 5th Your Children
  • 6th Your Grandchildren
  • 7th Your Great Grandchildren

The Seventh Generation Principle today is generally referred to regarding decisions being made about our life, energy, water, and natural resources, and ensuring those decisions are sustainable for the generations in the future. But it can also be applied to relationships – every decision should result in sustainable relationships the generations in the future.

This knowledge is then passed down to future generations, contributing to the “flow of Nebwakawin (wisdom) that passes from generation to generation.”