Seven fires prophecy facts for kids
The Seven Fires Prophecy is an ancient teaching from the Anishinaabe people. It describes different periods, or "fires," in the history and future of their people on Turtle Island. This is the original name given by Indigenous peoples to the land we now call North America. The prophecy shares important spiritual lessons for everyone. It suggests that people of all backgrounds and traditions can come together with respect. It also contains messages about the future of the Anishinaabe, which are still unfolding today.
In 1988, Edward Benton-Banai wrote about this prophecy in his book, The Mishomis Book.
Understanding the Seven Fires Prophecy
Originally, the Seven Fires Prophecy was closely connected to the migration story of the Ojibwe people. However, the later parts of the prophecy seem to apply to all people who interact with the Anishinaabe. Because of this, during the Pan-Indian Movement in the 1960s and 1970s, ideas from the Seven Fires Prophecy joined with similar teachings from other Indigenous peoples of North America. This helped create a united voice on environmental, political, and social issues when talking with Canada and the United States. The Seven Fires Prophecy was first taught among those who practiced Midewiwin, a traditional Anishinaabe spiritual society.
William Commanda, an Algonquin elder and former chief of the Kitigàn-zìbì Anishinàbeg First Nation, was the keeper of the special wampum belt that held the Seven Fires Prophecy. He passed away on August 3, 2011.
The Seven Fires Explained
The prophecies were first shared by eight prophets over seven different time periods. According to oral traditions, the Mi'kmaq Nation heard the first prophet. The other seven prophets appeared before the Anishinaabeg and their messages were recorded. Each of these seven periods is called a "fire." The teachings also say that when the world becomes polluted and waters are spoiled by disrespect, people will have two choices: focus on materialism (things and money) or focus on spirituality (inner peace and connection). If they choose spirituality, they will survive. If they choose materialism, it will lead to an end.
The First Fire: A New Journey
The First Fire tells the Anishinaabe nation to follow the sacred shell of the Midewiwin Lodge. This lodge would be a gathering place, and its traditional ways would bring strength. A sacred Megis (a type of shell) would guide them to their chosen land. They were told to look for a turtle-shaped island linked to purifying the Earth. They would find such an island at the start and end of their journey. There would be seven stopping places. They would know they reached their chosen land when they found a place where food grows on water. If they did not move, they would be destroyed.
Following this prophecy, the Anishinaabe people began a large migration. They moved inland from the Atlantic coast after their "Fathers" (the Abenaki people) and "allied brothers" (Mi'kmaq) promised their safety. Their first stopping place was Mooniyaang, which is now Montreal, Quebec. There, they found a "turtle-shaped island" marked by miigis (cowrie) shells.
The nation grew and spread along both the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence River. The second "turtle-shaped island" marked by miigis shells was at Niagara Falls.
The Second Fire: Finding the Path Again
The Second Fire warned that the nation would be camped by a large body of water. The direction of the Sacred Shell would be lost, and the Midewiwin would become weaker. A boy would be born who would show the way back to traditional teachings. He would point to the stepping stones for the future of the Anishinaabe people.
Oral traditions of the Council of Three Fires say the Second Fire happened near what is now Detroit, Michigan. This was the "Third Stopping Place." The Anishinaabeg had split, with some going up the Ottawa River and others up the St. Lawrence River. After leaving Niagara Falls, one group went to "Round Lake" (Lake St. Clair) and found the third "turtle-shaped island" with miigis shells. They continued west to the southern shores of Lake Michigan. By this time, the miigis shells were no longer seen, and the southern Anishinaabeg became lost, both physically and spiritually. This southern group divided into the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. The northern group along the Ottawa River divided into the Algonquin, Nipissing, and Mississaugas. This northern group stayed more connected.
Eventually, a Potawatomi girl had a dream that guided the southern group back towards and past "Round Lake." The southern group reunited, not as one Anishinaabe people, but as a strong alliance called the Council of Three Fires. They traveled east, then north, then west, crossing small islands known as "the stepping stones." They arrived at Manitoulin Island, the "Fourth Stopping Place," which was another "turtle-shaped island" marked by miigis shells. On this island, the Council met the Mississaugas. The Mississaugas helped the formerly lost southern group reconnect spiritually with the northern group. The Odawa people helped with this "healing," and the island became known as "Odawa's Island" in the Anishinaabe language.
The Third Fire: The Land of Water Food
The Third Fire said that the Anishinaabe would find the path to their chosen land in the west. This would be a place where food grows upon the waters.
From their cultural center on Manitoulin Island, the Ojibwe moved to the area around Sault Ste. Marie. This was the next "turtle-shaped island" marked by miigis shells. Baawating, or "The Rapids" of the Saint Marys River, became the "Fifth Stopping Place" for the Ojibwe. From this spot, the Ojibwe became known for the rapids. The Dakota people called them Iyo-ḣaḣatoŋwaŋ ("cascading-waterfalls people"), and later the French called them Saulteurs ("cascaders") and Saulteaux ("cascades"). From here, the Ojibwe moved west, splitting into two groups. Each group traveled along the shores of Lake Superior, searching for the "land where food grows upon the waters."
The Fourth Fire: Two Paths for Newcomers
The Fourth Fire prophecy was given by two prophets. The first prophet said that the future of the people would depend on the "face" the light-skinned race wore. If they came as brothers, there would be wonderful changes for generations. They would bring new knowledge and items that could combine with the knowledge of this land. In this way, two nations would join to make a mighty nation. This new nation would then be joined by two more, forming the mightiest nation of all. The face of brotherhood would be known if the light-skinned race came without weapons, bringing only their knowledge and a handshake.
The other prophet warned to be careful if the light-skinned race came wearing the "face of death." This face of brotherhood and the face of death could look very similar. If they carried weapons, one should beware. If they came suffering, they could be deceiving. Their hearts might be full of greed for the land's riches. If they were truly brothers, they should prove it. People should not trust them completely. The face of death would be known if rivers ran with poison and fish became unsafe to eat. These many signs would reveal their true intentions.
While at the "Fifth Stopping Place," light-skinned people in large wooden boats, known as the French, arrived. The Anishinaabeg called them Wemitigoozhii ("wooden-boat people"). Although the French government was interested in taking control of land, the Anishinaabeg saw them as mainly interested in trade. The Anishinaabeg and French formed trade alliances. This not only helped French influence spread into North America but also made the Anishinaabeg stronger politically and militarily.
After the French came the Zhaaganaash ("Off-shore ones") from Great Britain. But from the Zhaaganaash came the Gichi-mookomaan ("Big-knives")—the Virginians (meaning Americans).
The Fifth Fire: A False Promise
The Fifth Fire predicted a time of great struggle for all Native people. As this Fire faded, someone would come among the people offering a promise of great joy and salvation. If the people accepted this new way and left their old teachings, the struggle would continue for many generations. This promise would turn out to be false. All who accepted it would cause their people to be almost destroyed.
The Sixth Fire: Losing the Elders
The Sixth Fire would show that the promise of the Fifth Fire was indeed false. Those who were tricked by this promise would take their children away from the Elders' teachings. Grandchildren would turn against their Elders. Because of this, the Elders would lose their reason for living and their purpose. At this time, a new sickness would come among the people. The balance of many people would be disturbed. The "cup of life" would almost become the "cup of grief."
The Seventh Fire: A Choice for All
The Seventh Prophet, who came long ago, was different from the others. This prophet was described as "young with a strange light in his eyes." The prophet said that in the time of the Seventh Fire, "New People" would appear. They would go back to find what was left behind on the trail. Their journey would lead them to the Elders, whom they would ask for guidance. However, many Elders would have "fallen asleep," meaning they would have nothing to offer in this new time. Some Elders would be silent because no one would ask them anything. The New People would need to be careful how they approached the Elders. Their task would not be easy.
If the New People stayed strong in their search, the Water Drum of the Midewiwin Lodge would sound again. There would be a rebirth of the Anishinaabe Nation and a rekindling of old traditions. The Sacred Fire would be lit again.
At this time, the light-skinned race would be given a choice between two roads. One road would be green, lush, and very inviting. The other road would be black and burned, and walking it would hurt their feet. In the prophecy, the people decide not to take either road. Instead, they choose to turn back, remember, and reclaim the wisdom of those who came before them. If they choose the right path, the Seventh Fire will light the Eighth and final Fire. This will be an eternal fire of peace, love, brotherhood, and sisterhood. If the light-skinned race makes the wrong choice, the destruction they brought to this country will return to them, causing much suffering and death for all people on Earth.
