What Is in Our Logo?
In the Mi’kmaw world there is a teaching of the Medicine Wheel given by one of the elders which expresses the nature of our life journey. In this teaching it is said there are seven gifts. They are love, honesty, humility, respect, truth, patience and wisdom.
The concept of the Medicine Wheel and the seven gifts reflects important values and principles for leading a balanced and fulfilling life. The inclusion of these gifts in the logo of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia (RCFNS) demonstrates a commitment to incorporating these teachings into RCFNS’ work and honouring the connection to the Mi'kmaw culture and the land.
The representation of the gifts through the colours in the logo is a creative and symbolic way to visually communicate these values. The orange and yellow colours of the sun and sunbeams can be associated with love, honesty, humility, respect, truth, patience, and wisdom. These colours often evoke warmth, positivity, and enlightenment.
Likewise, the green and blue colours representing the land and sea of rural Nova Scotia connect to the natural environment and the importance of the relationship between people and their surroundings. Green often symbolizes growth, renewal, and harmony with nature, while blue can represent calmness, stability, and the vastness of the sea.
By incorporating these elements into their logo, the RCFNS not only visually represents their connection to the Mi'kmaw teachings but also conveys a message of their commitment to fostering a balanced and harmonious relationship with the land and communities they serve.
The Science of Humility
By: Albert Marshall, Elder, Eskasoni First Nation
In the Mi’kmaw world, there is a teaching of the Medicine Wheel given by one of our Elders, which expresses the nature of our life journey. In this teaching, it is said that there are seven gifts. They are love, honesty, humility, respect, truth, patience and, lastly, wisdom. In this teaching, a significant change occurs in our life cycle every seven years. These are the stages of life through which we move facing challenges and successes to achieve these seven gifts. Difficulties may occur in life, but they are only instruments of change, expansion of our perspective and opportunities for wisdom.
Mi’kmaw Seven Sacred Gifts Of Life
Teachings of Elder Murdena Marshall
One of the Teachings of Mi’kmaw Elder Murdena Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation, is that of the Seven Sacred Gifts of Life, as understood by the Mi’kmaw people. Elder Murdena, in conjunction with Tom Johnson (Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife) as a graphic designer, developed the visual on the next page which Murdena uses frequently in the numerous presentations for exceedingly diverse audiences that she gives on Mi’kmaw culture, including language and spirituality.
