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Teachings from the Language Tree, part 4: The Fluid Nature of Our Language
The Ojibwe language features a fluid concept involving two types of animacy in its words and grammar, called 'bimaadizi' and 'bimaadad.'

zhaawano
5 days ago13 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 28: The Generous Spirit of Baagak
Baagak, the Flying Skeleton—one of the most intriguing and vibrant aadizookaanag (story characters) in Anishinaabe and Ininew cultures.

zhaawano
Oct 1616 min read


Teaching Stories, part 29: Mikinaakominis Aadizookewin, the Magic of Turtle Island Storytelling
Aadizookewin: Indigenous storytelling from the perspectives of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) and Ininew (Cree) peoples

zhaawano
Sep 2534 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth: Omaa Nindaa: "I Live Here"
Contemplating the experience of returning home and feeling a sense of belonging by exploring the Ojibwe verbs "ayaa," "daa," and "giiwe," which mean "to be in a certain place," "to dwell somewhere," and "to return home," respectively.

zhaawano
Sep 207 min read


The Way of the Heartbeat, part 20: Two Spirits, Sacred Beings
How the Native American notion of Two-spiritedness defies the conventional binary Western view of gender roles.

zhaawano
Sep 177 min read


Teachings From the Language Tree, part 3: Understanding Ojibwe Verb Classification Techniques for Language Learners
Understanding why Ojibwe doodamowi-ikidowinan (verbs) and their associated nouns and pronouns are grammatically categorized into two animacy types.

zhaawano
Sep 1114 min read


Teachings from the Language Tree, part 2: Vocal Sounds, Gift of the Thunderbirds
A brief discussion on sounds, animacy, and the connection between animacy and verb inflection in the Ojibwe language.

zhaawano
Sep 102 min read


Teachings from the Language Tree, part 1: The Endless Flexibility of the Ojibwe Language
Exploring Methods to Decolonize and Revitalize Traditional Ojibwe Language Speaking

zhaawano
Aug 278 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 29: Wenabozho Tends the Fire
Who is Wenabozho, and what importance does this dualistic figure have for us?

zhaawano
Aug 85 min read


Reflections of a Storyteller, part 9: How Can We Heal Their Hearts and Minds?
What can we do to detoxify the minds and hearts of the so-called Pretendian Hunters?

zhaawano
Jul 222 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 28: The Turtle Mountain Bear Dancer Who Wanted a Porcupine Hair Roach
The story of a Turtle Mountain Bear Dancer who instead of using a Bear hide in his outfit wanted to wear a porcupine roach headdress "like everyone else"

zhaawano
Jul 203 min read


A Word on Our Nisidotam Language Project: The Sound Method of Turtle Mountain Ojibwe
The Turtle Mountain sound method according to Mikinaakwajiwing Elder Jessie Cree.

zhaawano
Jul 132 min read


A Word on Our Nisidotam Language Project, part 1
Nisidotam: A return to the way our ancestors used spoken sounds for communication.

zhaawano
Jul 122 min read


Teaching Stories, part 28: Exploring the Parallels Between Midewiwin and Freemasonry
What do Midewiwin and Freemasonry have in common? An analysis.

zhaawano
Jul 76 min read


Reflections of a Storyteller, part 8: Why We Must Tap Into Our Spirit Memory
Why we must learn to listen to our hearts and our dreams.

zhaawano
Jul 12 min read


Spirit of the Seasons, part 19: The Spirit of Niibin
A reflection on Anishinaabe Gimishoomisinaan Niimi'idiwin, Dance of Our Grandfather, marking the Summer Solstice.

zhaawano
Jun 212 min read


Star Stories, part 44: Flight of the Sky Dreamer
A dream vision of flight represented by a hand-hammered story bracelet; a sky dreamer's journey along the path of consciousness.

zhaawano
Jun 164 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 27: The Close Relationship Between Bears and Midewiwin
A reflection on makwa the black bear and its significance to the Midewiwin, the Medicine Lodge of the Anishinaabe Peoples.

zhaawano
Jun 96 min read


The Way of the Heartbeat, part 19: Is Midewiwin a Cult?
A reflection on the cultural significance and historical context of the Midewiwin, "Society of Good-Hearted Ones" of the Anishinaabeg Peoples.

zhaawano
Jun 36 min read


Teachings of the Eagle Feather, part 40: One Spirit, One Mind
An exquisite gold eagle feather necklace, crafted by the author, portrays the tale of the Three Fires Midewiwin.

zhaawano
Jun 23 min read
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