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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 17, 20257 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 11, 202514 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 10, 20252 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 27, 20258 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 8, 20255 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 22, 20252 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 20, 20253 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 13, 20252 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 12, 20252 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 7, 20256 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 1, 20252 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 21, 20252 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 16, 20254 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 9, 20256 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 3, 20256 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 2, 20253 min read


An Introduction (Who am I, and What Brings Me Here?)
Who am I, and what brings me here?

zhaawano
May 31, 20254 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 26: Zaagi' - The Outward Nature of Love
A musing about the outward nature of love! Why for the Anishinaabe, zaagi' (to love someone) is not based on an “inward feeling” but rather on an “outward action.”

zhaawano
May 17, 20259 min read


Reflections of the Great Lakes, part 10: Copper, Gift From the Lake
An Anishinaabe story about the sacred copper, woven around a set of story rings and a painting.

zhaawano
May 13, 20256 min read


Teachings from the Tree of Life, part 36: Walk Proudly in the Sunlight
Heal the trauma. Stand proudly in the sunlight with your head held high.

zhaawano
May 4, 20253 min read
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