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Star Stories, part 31: The Story of the Morning Star and the Evening Star
The aadizookaan (sacred story) of the Morning Star and the Evening Star and the eternal duel between Dawn and Evening.

zhaawano
Feb 17, 20234 min read


Star Stories, part 29: The Creation of the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon
The Creation Story of the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon told through a .zirconium wedding ring set titled Gizhewaadiziwin ("Loving Kindness")

zhaawano
Feb 16, 20234 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 11: The Meaning of Aadizooke: To Explore the Meaning of Life
A musing about Wenabozho and the literal meaning of the Ojibwe Anishinaabe word for "traditional storytelling."

zhaawano
Feb 11, 20232 min read


Star Stories, part 28: To Fly With the Sky Bison
The ancient Anishinaabe knowledge of how our clans and the Jiisakaan/Shaking Tent ceremony originated in the Star World...

zhaawano
Feb 9, 20233 min read


Teachings of the Eagle Feather, part 37: Ojibwe Terms of Endearment
Ojibwe terms of endearment expressing a man's love to a woman: gi-zaagi'in ("I love you") and niinimoshenh ("my sweetheart").

zhaawano
Feb 1, 20239 min read


Teachings of the Eagle Feather, part 36: Fire of the Thunder Beings
A linguistic approach to the phenomenon of waasamoowin, the lightning/electricity caused by the Thunder Beings of the Skies.

zhaawano
Jan 26, 20238 min read


Reawakening of the Medicine People, part 4: Wenabozho's Dance
The legend of how Wenabozho helped returning Ziigwan (Spring) to the land and founded Waabanowiwin, the Anishinaabe Society of Dawn.

zhaawano
Jan 24, 20236 min read


Reflections of the Great Lakes, part 18: They Speak From a Great Distance
About cross-cultural misunderstandings: What happens when a white man tries to get information from a Native man.

zhaawano
Jan 19, 20231 min read


Star Stories, part 27: New Beginnings (A Love Poem)
New Beginnings - A poem by Zhaawano Giizhik about taking someone you love by the hand and leading them to a better place.

zhaawano
Jan 14, 20232 min read


The Trees Speak, part 4: Why We Must Learn to Remember the Old Language
A musing about the importance of relearning the old language and to reconnect with the spirits.

zhaawano
Jan 1, 20232 min read


Love Stories from the Land of Many Lakes, part 19: Yellow Star Woman's Dream Vision
A magic dream vision tale about love and separation told against the backdrop of Nibaad Misaabe, the Sleeping Giant of Thunder Bay.

zhaawano
Dec 1, 20221 min read


Star Stories, part 26: A Message From the Thunderbirds
About maji-ishkoden, or fireballs from the Sky, messengers from the Thunderbirds.

zhaawano
Nov 20, 20222 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 10: Mother Earth's Rattle
A musing on Omizakamigokwe, our Mother Earth, who takes care of us and will be shaking her zhiishiigwan long after we have gone.

zhaawano
Nov 5, 20221 min read


Reflections of the Great Lakes, part 17: Animosh and the Twins
The sacred story of how Animosh the Dog nurtured the first two Anishinaabeg to maturity and taught them to dance.

zhaawano
Nov 3, 20228 min read


Reflections of the Great Lakes, part 15: Zhingibis and the Return of the Heart Berry
The story of a young Ojibwe man named Zhingibis Mandosking who had a dream that helped returning the warm weather to the freezing earth.

zhaawano
Oct 23, 20222 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 9: Akiwenzii's Teaching
The meaning of the word Akiwenzii (He Who Has Been on the Earth for a Long Time) and the role the Elder People play in Anishinaabe culture.

zhaawano
Oct 15, 202210 min read


Reflections of a Storyteller, part 1: When There Is No Snow on the Ground
Reflections of a Storyteller. questioning the modern-day taboo on telling stories only when there is snow on the ground.

zhaawano
Oct 12, 20224 min read


Spirit of the Seasons, part 6: Mother Earth and the 13 Moons of Creation
A sacred love story told to celebrate the rise of the 13 Full Moons above our Turtle Island.

zhaawano
Oct 9, 20228 min read


Spirit of the Seasons, part 5: When the Spirits of Summer and Winter Meet
Autumn, when the spirits of summer and winter meet. Around this time, we celebrate the beginning of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere.

zhaawano
Sep 26, 202213 min read


Stories and Teachings from the Earth, part 8: A Tribute to Our Medicine Women
Mashkikiikewikwewag, our medicine women, are the true healers and heroes of our Nations.

zhaawano
Sep 15, 20222 min read
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