Seven Truths

by Tanya Talaga

The Anishinaabe are guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings—Love, Bravery, Humility, Wisdom, Honesty, Respect, and Truth. In Seven Truths, we explore each teaching through the eyes of Anishinaabe storyteller Tanya Talaga, and through the lives and experiences of people she’s proud to know. These truths, told through contemporary stories, help us find common ground here on Turtle Island, so that we can live together, justly.

Genres: Indigenous, Audiobook, Nonfiction, History, Education

Audible Audio

Published November 25, 2020

About the author

Tanya Talaga is an Anishinaabe Canadian journalist and author.

Her 2017 book, Seven Fallen Feathers, won the RBC Taylor Prize, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, and First Nation Communities Read: Young Adult/Adult. The book was also a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Nonfiction Prize and the BC National Award for Nonfiction, and it was CBC’s Nonfiction Book of the Year, a Globe and Mail Top 100 Book, and a national bestseller. For more than twenty years she has been a journalist at the Toronto Star, and has been nominated five times for the Michener Award in public service journalism. She was also named the 2017–2018 Atkinson Fellow in Public Policy.

Talaga is of Polish and Indigenous descent. Her great-grandmother, Liz Gauthier, was a residential school survivor. Her great-grandfather, Russell Bowen, was an Ojibwe trapper and labourer. Her grandmother is a member of Fort William First Nation. Her mother was raised in Raith and Graham, Ontario. She lives in Toronto with her two teenage children.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this Audible original series because I mistakenly thought it was Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by the same author, Tanya Talaga.

I am excluding it from my book challenge and bookshelves because it leans more towards a podcast docuseries. Seven Truths was wonderfully produced, and I really enjoyed listening to the author explain the Anishinaabe's Seven Grandfather Teachings. Talaga provides the reader with diverse perspectives for each teaching which enriches the discussion.

If you have Audible, you can listen to this series for free. Do yourself a favour and have a listen, you won't be disappointed.

[Christina Laflamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook through my Audible membership. I liked it. The wisdoms are inarguably pure and refreshing and the stories through which they are told are informative. We learn about the racism in Thunder Bay and other current Indigenous issues. At about a half hour per teaching, they were an enriching way to spend my lunches. I have since gone on to take the MOOC "Indigenous Canada" through the University of Alberta and have also purchased the audiobook "Seven Fallen Feathers" from Tanya Talaga. A great introduction to Indigenous issues, culture and history.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audio collection is so deeply personal, heartbreaking and beautiful. I love Tanya & will absolutely read/listen to everything she puts out into the world, she has my undying support & appreciation.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a podcast, but I'm counting it here for now so I can review it :)

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Canadian - well everyone but especially Canadians- should listen to this series. The whole time I was on the verge of tears, and by the end I was full on sobbing. This series was a grim reminder of the injustice and racism that indigenous people have to face. They have been fighting to simply exist on their own homeland. This series has really made me reflect on what my role- as an immigrant- is in the oppression of indigenous people, and what I can do to support the community. While the topics were heavy and heartbreaking, this series was also a reminder that there is still hope. There is still beauty, and there are people who want to help the community fight through the injustices. I implore you to listen to this series.

[Chanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing! I highly recommend it!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The cost of our complacency will be paid in children's lives"
Tanya Talaga continues to write/discuss these essential issues and I will pay attention every time.

[Michelle Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

An interesting and important podcast. All Canadians should listen to it to gain a better understanding of past and current issues facing First Nations peoples.

My only complaint is it felt overproduced. The music and sound effects sometimes took away from the message.

[Fraser Simons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retreads some ground from Seven Feathers, the authors other book. But it’s also an expansion in a humanizing way, where she interviews people in the community of (primarily) thunder bay to bring indigenous issues to the forefront of Canadians’ minds. It spotlights some of the myriad of ways our culture is inflicting constant, irreparable harm to indigenous people.

Well worth a listen. Wont take much of your time. Great production values. No reason not to get educated on this, and this is a great springboard for doing just that.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful audiobook aimed at settler Canadians. Talaga centers her stories in the Anishinaabe communities of NW Ontario from Thunder Bay to Kenora and remote lands. She artfully tells the 20th century history of the region through telling stories about people - both settler and First Nations - working to improve the lives of First Nations' communities.

[Catherine Puma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This podcast 7 episode series was a great listen. A mix of discussion and interview surrounding current issues facing the Anishinaabe people of Canada and how they dead with them through the Seven Truths, this is the reflection my Thanksgiving week needed. Tanya Talaga, Anishinaabe storyteller, interviews different Elders, students, journalists, and activists in Canada to explain how these various stories can be understood through the lens seven teachings: love, bravery, humility, wisdom, honesty, respect, and truth.

I learned so much from this series, and I recommend this to everyone interested in Native American history, culture, and especially modern struggles.

Whomever put the info for this work up onto Goodreads didn't give any description, so here's the Summary as listed on Audible:

"The Anishinaabe are guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings—Love, Bravery, Humility, Wisdom, Honesty, Respect, and Truth. In Seven Truths, we explore each teaching through the eyes of Anishinaabe storyteller Tanya Talaga, and through the lives and experiences of people she’s proud to know. These truths, told through contemporary stories, help us find common ground here on Turtle Island, so that we can live together, justly.

©2020 Antica Productions (P)2020 Antica Productions"

And here is the specific description for Episode 1: Love:

"Meet Sam Achneepineskum, Tanya’s Elder and someone she credits with helping her to explore her role both as a journalist and as an Anishnaabe kwe who straddles various worlds. Sam sets us on our journey with Tanya, reminding us that the teaching of love is something that needs to be worked on every day, in a world that often feels like it’s trying to erase you, your family, and your community."

[Maris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy Tanya's journalism, speeches, and writing style. I have had to pleasure to watch Tanya speak for the CBC Massey Lectures a few years back...absolutely powerful. These are the voices and harsh realities of indigenous peoples that need to be heard.

[Jennie Gosso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an Audible Original and is more of a Podcast than a book, but oh my word no less moving! I strongly urge anyone wanting to know more of the modern-day genocide happening still today, list to Tanya Talaga explain the Seven Truths.

[Dayna B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanya is an incredible narrator/storyteller. This was so raw, and at times so painful to hear the truths exposed within Indigenous communities. I am hanging on to what one of the storytellers said - that we must move forward with hope. <3

[Don Kitson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would not say it was easy to listen to these stories but it was good for a half Swede/half Englishman like me to hear a different perspective. My wife is Metis but her mother never told her she was Metis until she was in her 40's. All three of our kids were proud to learn of their heritage.

[Jaime M · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who wants to know what the Seven Grandfather teachings are about through the lens of the author’s experience with journalistic writing on Indigenous youth. There’s an affectionate narration throughout and a real care to her storytelling.

[Victoria Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done and informative. There are very few books, or podcasts, that make me want to learn more about indigenous culture without making me feel guilty, or ashamed of myself, for Canada's laws, policies, health and social fabrics have done to Indigenous Canadians.

I learned of the 7 truths and enjoyed the different interviews and topics linked to each in their own unique ways. I enjoyed the truth of wisdom with the physician speaking about the "Indian hospitals". You could here the passion and concern he has for trying to provide health service with little resources along with the history of the Indian hospitals. Not very many people would do their internship nor stay for many years in rural Canada, let alone near indigenous communities that are struggling health wise.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 7 part podcast / audiobook focused on stories that helped to explain some of the issues facing anishinaabe people in Canada. Totally worth listening to if you want to gain more insight into the harsh realities facing indigenous people.

[Abhishek Jain · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gives you a perspective on the life of Aboriginals in Canada. Every chapter is a story about life of one.

[Ian MacIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent Podcast. Hope conquers all.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful book. It speaks of truth and hope. Both are difficult to imagine but things must change to dignity and respect for all people.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the seven teachings of Anishinaabe elders.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One to read/listen to over and over again...though not without focusing on the light and truth and living action we can learn and grow with in each lesson. Miigwech.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-listen for all, regardless of where you are in your learning.

[Bia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is well worth the listen!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Tanya Talaga’s New Podcast 'Seven Truths' Should Be Your Next Listen -
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/s...

[Yumi Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Anishinabe live their lives by the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which are guiding principles. Many Indigenous groups on Turtle Island have some version of these seven truths. Talaga walks us through them using stories of the Indigenous experience in Canada, and the stories are powerful ones. Barbara Kentner. Shoal Lake 39. Indigenous health care. Thunder Bay. Colonization 2.0. Even if you think you know these stories, this podcast may surprise you. Highly recommended, and packaged in small enough chunks that even taxed pandemic brains can handle.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating series, highly recommend for interest (rather than entertainment)