The Seven Grandfather Teachings are a set of guiding principles that have been passed down through generations by the Anishnaabe Nations. The teachings include Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth, and offer a powerful foundation for ethical lawyering and decolonizing legal practices and systems. These teachings can be applied in legal practice to gain a deeper understanding and respect towards the differences in approaching problems, unlearn current approaches, and develop newer, more thoughtful, and creative solutions.
The relevance of the Seven Grandfather Teachings for ethical lawyering and decolonizing legal practices and systems cannot be overstated. These teachings are rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and can provide a framework for a more respectful, collaborative, and relationship-based approach to legal work that is grounded in the principles of reconciliation. By incorporating these teachings into their work as a guide, legal professionals and leaders can work towards decolonizing legal practices and systems, and work towards achieving justice for all people, particularly for Indigenous communities who have been historically oppressed.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings offer a framework for ethical lawyering that can be applied in legal practice to support decolonization efforts. Here are some ways that each of the Seven Grandfather Teachings can be applied in legal practice:
-
Wisdom: Lawyers can gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous laws and recognize the limitations of colonial structures in achieving justice. This can involve seeking out Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, and recognizing the importance of using a holistic approach that considers the mind, body, and spirit of all parties involved.
-
Love: Lawyers can approach legal work with empathy and compassion, recognizing the importance of cultivating relationships based on mutual understanding and trust. This can involve acknowledging the traumatic impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities, and working to promote healing and reconciliation.
-
Respect: Lawyers can value diversity of perspectives and critically reflect on their own biases. This can involve recognizing and addressing the systemic injustices that Indigenous communities have faced, and working to create a legal system that respects the inherent worth and value of all people and the environment.
-
Courage: Lawyers can apply Indigenous laws in the face of colonial resistance, recognizing that the application of these laws may challenge existing power structures. This can involve advocating for Indigenous rights and working to challenge oppressive legal frameworks.
-
Honesty: Lawyers can build real trust with their clients by outlining parameters truthfully and honestly. This can involve being transparent about what they can and cannot do, and being accountable for their actions.
-
Humility: Lawyers can recognize their own limitations and biases, and begin to learn about Indigenous laws from Indigenous Peoples and communities. This can involve acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of their own knowledge and expertise, and being open to learning from others.
-
Truth: Lawyers can see and address systemic injustices in the legal system, recognizing the role that the legal profession has played in perpetuating these injustices. This can involve acknowledging the impacts of colonialism, and working to create a legal system that aligns with values and beliefs that promote justice for all.
By applying the Seven Grandfather Teachings in legal practice, lawyers can work towards decolonizing legal practices and systems, and promoting reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and settler societies.
In her essay, “Reconciliation and Ethical Lawyering“, Pooja Parmar critiques the traditional adversarial model of lawyering for its focus on winning and losing, which can contribute to the perpetuation of systemic injustices for Indigenous Peoples. She argues that this model prioritizes colonial structures and approaches to justice, rather than recognizing and incorporating Indigenous laws and practices. Instead, she advocates for a shift towards collaborative and relationship-based lawyering that is grounded in the principles of reconciliation.
Parmar also emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and humility in ethical lawyering practices for reconciliation. She argues that lawyers must be willing to learn from Indigenous Peoples and communities, and recognize their own limitations and biases. This involves ongoing education and self-reflection to challenge assumptions and biases, as well as critical reflection on how the legal profession has contributed to the ongoing oppression of Indigenous Peoples.
Parmar also highlights the importance of accountability for ethical lawyering and reconciliation. She argues that lawyers must be willing to be held accountable to Indigenous Peoples and communities, and to work towards rebuilding trust through a commitment to reconciliation. This involves recognizing and addressing the harms that have been caused by the legal profession, and taking steps to address these issues moving forward.
In conclusion, the Seven Grandfather Teachings provide a powerful foundation for ethical lawyering and decolonizing legal practices and systems. Incorporating these principles into legal work can lead to a deeper understanding and respect towards the differences in approaching problems and developing skills needed to unlearn current approaches and develop more thoughtful and creative solutions. Parmar’s essay emphasizes the need for lawyers to turn inwards and look at their own profession and the colonial structures that oppress Indigenous Peoples. Critiquing the adversarial model of lawyering, practicing cultural competence and humility, and being accountable for reconciliation are key elements to ethical lawyering. Legal professionals must recognize the role that the legal profession has played in perpetuating systemic injustices and take steps to address these issues. Furthermore, ethical lawyering requires a commitment to ongoing learning, unlearning and relearning, being held accountable to reconciliation, and practicing law by learning and applying how Indigenous Peoples practice justice. As legal professionals, it is our duty to ensure that the legal system not only serves, but is led by all members of society, particularly those whose land we are on.