The intelligences are:

  1. linguistic – the ability to read, write, communicate with words
  2. logical-mathematical – the ability to reason and calculate, to think things through in a logical, systematic manner
  3. visual-spatial – the ability to think in pictures, visualize a final result – recognizes our creative people, such as artists, as well as our visions
  4. musical – the ability to make or compose music, to sing well, or understand and appreciate music – recognizes our traditional singers
  5. bodily-kinesthetic – the ability to use your body skillfully to solve problems, create products, or present ideas and emotions – recognizes our traditional dancers
  6. interpersonal – the ability to work effectively with others, to relate to other people and display empathy and understanding, to notice their motivations and goals – I believe this intelligence comes the closest to recognizing Heart
  7. intrapersonal – the ability for self-analysis and reflection – to be able to quietly contemplate and assess one’s accomplishments, to review one’s behaviour and innermost feelings, to make plans and set goals, to know oneself – I believe this one comes the closest to recognizing both Heart and Spirit
  8. naturalist – the ability to recognize flora and fauna, to make other consequential distinctions in the natural world and to use this ability productively. – recognizes our Medicine People.

To quote one of the Elders on the NADC, Denys Auger, from the Bigstone Cree Education Authority,

In our traditional culture, we “read” nature (the environment). We must read and interpret the information we find there, so that we can survive. We use our eyes and brains just like you. We also use our other senses – smell, hearing, taste, and touch – to read the coming weather, the presence of danger, and the health of the land, waters and air. When we don’t hear the frog’s song, we know the land and waters are polluted and cannot support life.