Wilhelmina Nolan gave a presentation to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission about an application by NB Power Nuclear. The presentation discussed the seven teachings of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers, which include wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. Nolan argued that these teachings instruct people to care for future generations by protecting the environment and not leaving it damaged. She expressed concerns about the risks of nuclear technology in devastating the environment for generations and damaging life at the atomic level. Nolan believed the teachings call on people to consider these risks and make wise choices to meet energy needs without harming the planet for future generations.

1. Presentation ~ Wilhelmina Nolan
to the
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Public Hearing
Applications by NB Power Nuclear to
Reload Fuel • Restart • Re-licence Point Lepreau
Saint John, New Brunswick • Dec 1-2, 2011
WISDOM • LOVE • RESPECT • BRAVERY • HONESTY • HUMILITY • TRUTH

2. Seven Teachings of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
WISDOM • LOVE • RESPECT • BRAVERY • HONESTY • HUMILITY • TRUTH
“We do not own the Earth, we borrow it
from our grandchildren.”

These teachings give us direction and balance. It is essential not to leave any
one out, each of the teachings must be used with the rest.

We must respect, protect and care for Mother Earth and the community of life
or we will not survive.

The teachings remind us how to treat each other and our children.

Everyone is responsible for caring for the children and Mother Earth.

We must always remember that after our lives on Earth are finished, the
children are the ones who must care for Mother Earth and for the next generations
to come.
Wilhelmina Nolan • Personal Presentation to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Public Hearings on Point Lepreau • St. John New Brunswick • December 1-2, 2011

3. First Teaching of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
WISDOM
Wisdom is knowing the right path to take.
We must balance our “need” for electric energy by
making wise choices to meet our needs without causing harm.
We all share the responsibility to see to it that
Mother Earth and everything that Creator has given us to live a good life
will be available, undamaged, for future generations.
Wilhelmina Nolan • Personal Presentation to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Public Hearings on Point Lepreau • St. John New Brunswick • December 1-2, 2011

4. Second Teaching of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
LOVE
We are to love all our relatives and share with them.
We share our knowledge of benefits and risks to help guide our decision making.
Nuclear Technology: RISK - Devastation of the natural environment for generations
RISK - Damage to life forms at the atomic level

5. Third Teaching of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
RESPECT
To give respect to everyone - all human beings and all things created.
Photograph of Dog – Chernobyl Museum

6. Fourth Teaching of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
BRAVERY
Have the courage to take the right path, even in difficult times, even when afraid.
Chernobyl Fire-fighter, 1986

7. Fifth Teaching of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
HONESTY
Be honest in my mind, my heart and in every action.
CHERNOBYL
POINT LEPREAU

8. Sixth Teaching of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
HUMILITY
Each person is equal to everyone else, no better and no less.

9. Seventh Teaching
of the Grandmothers and Grandfathers
TRUTH
Always speak the truth.
Be true in everything that I do, true to myself and to my people.
Photographs of abnormalities in barn swallows - Chernobyl

10. THANK YOU
All My Relations
Wilhelmina Nolan • Presentation to Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Public Hearings on Point Lepreau • St. John New Brunswick • December 1-2, 2011
Photographs by the author or under Creative Commons License