An Introduction (Who am I, and What Brings Me Here?)
- zhaawano
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Waawaaskone-giizis (Flower Moon) - May 31, 2025
Boozhoo,
I am Zhaawano Giizhik, an American artist with a mixed heritage of Anglo, Dutch, and Baawitigowinini Ojibwe Anishinaabe (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa) descent. I am a writer, as well as a non-commercial jeweler and graphic artist. I practice the powerful tradition known as Native Woodland Art. This contemporary, spiritually enriched art form, established in the 1960s by the late Miskwaabik Animikii (Norval Morrisseau), is deeply rooted in the sacred oral and pictorial traditions (rock art) of my distant ancestors, the Anishinaabeg of Michigan and Ontario.
My art and jewelry creations, which are thematic, function as educational tools and are not available for purchase. Thus, it can be said that they are primarily storytelling instruments, not intended for profit.
My creations, alongside those of fellow artists, capture the ancient traditions of our ancestors through jewelry, canvas art, poetry, and written narratives. This is the essence of Fisher Star Creations, a collaborative art project launched in Iskigamizige-Giizis (Maple Syrup Moon, April) of 2012 by me and Woodland painter Simone McLeod. Numerous stories have been woven around the mystery of the Storyteller's Mirror since then, and although our collaboration ended after seven years, the story continues...
Aadizookaw /aadizookaw-/: /aadizooke-/ stem of the verb aadizooke ; /-aw/:do it for someone: "Tell a sacred story to someone"
Aadizooke: reduplicated form: aayaadizooke:Â "S/he tells a sacred story"
Ayaadizooked: (changed conjunct of the verb adizooke): "S/he who tells a sacred story; a sacred-storyteller"
Aadizookaan /aadizookaan-/: /aadizooke-/ stem of the verb aadizooke; /-n/ [nominalizer]: "Sacred story; a non-human protagonist of a sacred story (a spirit)"
Aadizookewinini  /aadizookewininiw-/: /aadizooke-/ stem of the verb aadizooke; /-wininiw/ man, person: "(Male) sacred-storyteller"
Aadizookekwe: /aadizooke-/ stem of the verb aadizooke; /-kwe/ woman: "Female sacred-storyteller"Aaniish Eyaayaan Omaa, What Brings Me Here?
The phrases "aandi gidaanakii" (where is your abode) and "aandi endaayeg" (where do you all dwell?) are common questions within the teachings shared on my blog, often referring to the spiritual realm or the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. My primary motivation is to delve into ideas such as the relationship between the earth and sky, the spirit world, and the interconnectedness of all things.
However, occasionally, I catch myself pondering, "aaniish eyaayaan omaa" (what is my purpose here?)
There are several reasons I could offer for why I am here. If I had to choose just one, it would be that my passion for creation, my heritage, and an aadizokaan (traditional story) are what motivate my presence here.
The romantic story of the Fisher Star is my favorite aadizookaan, and my work consistently reflects my Native ancestry intertwined with the art of storytelling. At heart, I am an aadizookewinini (storyteller). I weave tales from the past into my artworks, reconnecting with the traditional belief in the Seven Grandfather Teachings and my People's practice of sharing human and spiritual experiences through adizookewin (storytelling). However, the stories are not solely traditional; I live in the present, and my storytelling carries a modern essence!
"Grandfathers Sharing Stories Beneath the Fisher Star" ©2025 Zhaawano Giizhik
Indeed, the aadizookanan shared here are as deeply allegorical as those from ancient storytelling traditions, yet they also offer lessons relevant to today's world. Wrapped in age-old metaphors and timeless symbols, each of my aadizookanan acts as a reflective mirror, offering those who look into it a lively awareness of human potential, while filling their hearts with humility and love. Regardless of what emerges from my hands or those of my fellow artists—whether a painting, a graphic artwork, a piece of jewelry, a written story, or a poem—it always conveys a story and seeks to heal the spirit. Although sometimes driven by internal struggle and pain, or yearning desire, I strive for my work to embody values of optimism and hope.
Mazinaajimowin, the spiritual imagery our ancestors crafted through painting and carving on rock, copper, animal hide, and birch bark within a ritual context, is a vital part of our cultural heritage. The outlined figures of people, animals, plants, and supernatural beings, along with the mystical internal views (often known as "x-ray vision"), are some of the stylistic elements in my artwork that testify to this ancient heritage. Meanwhile, as a noongwa ayaadizooked (contemporary traditional storyteller), the designs and themes in my paintings and jewelry are personal and universally connect with recognizable themes of humor, love, sexuality, anxiety, alienation, spiritual healing, and (clan) identity.
The constant motivation behind Fisher Star Creations is the desire to share dreams and stories, fueled by a passion for art. Much like the aadizookaan of the Fisher Star has for many generations before us, the illustrations on this website  are designed to inspire, motivate, and dismantle barriers by bringing people together. This art is deeply spiritual, offering empowerment and healing. Through these artworks and their stories, we aim to heal the minds and hearts of others, while also focusing on healing ourselves, those who have passed, and those yet to come…
Miigwech, thank you.
Gakina-awiiya, we are all related.
Zhaawano-giizhik (Southern White Cedar)
>Check out my Facebook art pages:
Image at the top of the page: The author presenting asemaa (tobacco) to the Underwater Spirits at Agawa Rock, Ontario. Photograph by Simone McLeod.