TRUTH – Turtle / Mehkehnak / Mikjikj

Turtle represents TRUTH.  Turtle reminds us to be faithful to fact and reality, and sincere in action and character.  North America is referred to as Turtle Island.  Many Nations carry stories about how the world was created on the back of Turtle.

This kit includes a beautiful selection of hand snipped glass mosaic tile, ready for you to place and glue.  Creating a beautiful addition to your home décor, bringing a burst of colour and a unique design.

Suitable for complete beginners with no special tools.

Kit includes:

• 21cm MDF engraved Turtle template
• Selection of hand snipped glass mosaic tiles
• 40ml PVA glue
• 150g Black grout
• Mosaic & grouting instructions
• The 7 Grandfather Teaching Information Card with details about Turtle and the 6 other designs in the series.

Teachings

TRUTH – Turtle / Mehkehnak / Mikjikj

Truth is the foundation upon which all other teachings are built. Among many First Nations across Turtle Island, including the Anishinaabe, Anisininew, and Mi’kmaq, truth is represented by the Turtle—Mehkehnak in Anishinaabe and Anisininew languages, Mikjikj in Mi’kmaq. This powerful symbol reminds us of our responsibility to seek, speak, and live by truth in all aspects of our lives.

The Turtle holds a sacred place in the creation stories of many Nations. It is said that the land we now call North America was formed on the back of Turtle after a great flood—a story that teaches resilience, interconnection, and emergence from destruction into new beginnings. The very ground beneath our feet, Turtle Island, is a living reminder that truth is not just an idea; it is embedded in the land, in our origins, and in our responsibilities.

To walk in truth means to live with authenticity and to align our actions with our words and our spirit. It means recognizing the realities of who we are, where we come from, and the legacy of those who walked before us. Truth is not something we shape to fit our desires or convenience; rather, it is something we must continually strive to understand and honour. It requires us to be faithful to fact and reality, not just when it’s easy or when it benefits us, but especially when it challenges us.

In our personal lives, truth asks us to look inward and acknowledge both our strengths and our shortcomings. The Turtle, with its slow and deliberate pace, teaches us that walking in truth takes time and care. We are not expected to be perfect, but we are expected to be sincere—sincere in how we live, how we speak, and how we relate to others.

In community, truth means holding space for honesty and transparency. It involves listening to the stories and experiences of others with open hearts. For Indigenous Peoples across this land, living in truth also includes acknowledging historical truths: colonization, displacement, and the enduring strength of Indigenous knowledge systems. Truth is vital to healing, and healing cannot begin without the courage to face these realities.

As a teaching, truth interweaves with the other six Grandfather Teachings. It is not enough to love, to be courageous, wise, or respectful if we are not grounded in truth. It holds us accountable and calls us to reflect on how we show up in the world. Turtle teaches us to carry truth gently but firmly—never hurried, never forced, but always present and enduring.

When we walk with the Turtle, we are reminded that truth is a lifelong journey. Each step, each breath, is an opportunity to live more fully in alignment with who we truly are and the sacred teachings that guide us.