Gratitude
Gratitude plays an important part in the lives of the people. Gratitude and generosity are reciprocal values. The obligation to share comes from the gratitude one offers the Creator for the gifts one has been given. An example
of this is that communities often have powwows for the wild rice harvest or other special events to give thanks. Some American Indians have a feast at the beginning of each harvest, such as the first syrup, fish, berries, deer and wild rice. Children are taught the importance of gratitude at an early age. Miigwech (thank you) is a word known by almost all Anishinabe children and adults. Pidamiya is the Dakota word for thank you. |