Reflections of a Storyteller, part 4: Tammo Geertsema Is My Grandfather's Name

Baashkaakodin-giizis / Gashkadino-giizis (Freezing Moon/ Freezing Over Moon) (December 6, 2024)

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Tammo Geertsema is the name used for me in a Facebook post that was shared by someone who seemingly disapproves of me, and it quickly went viral.

Indeed, the name on my 1959 birth certificate is Tammo Galtjo Geertsema. Zhaawano-giizhik was a name given to me later, in 1982. Zhaawano-giizhik is my spirit name – or traditional name, if you prefer. At birth, my parents named me after my paternal grandfather, Tammo Geertsema. I received the name Galtjo in honor of my late uncle – Galtjo Geertsema from WV.

I take pride in that name because it represents a longstanding and honorable family tradition...so far, so good.

However, now a self-aggrandizing woman from Canada, known as Crystal Semaganis (whose real name is Michelle Christine Cameron), has taken it upon herself to act as a 'Pretendian Hunter.' Without reaching out to me first, she has placed me on a 'Pretendian Blacklist' and, moreover, shared a racially biased post about me on Facebook that went viral. She further overstepped by posting my uncle's obituary online, which deeply upset my grieving cousin, Mary. For this, I will never forgive her.

Doxing (also called doxxing): the action or process of searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the internet, typically with malicious intent. Engaging in a pattern of harassment or sharing the contact info of someone to encourage others to harass them could be a crime. If you are doing something that causes financial damages to someone by saying untrue things about them, then you could be sued for defamation.

The post about me – using the above photo of me (showing my support for MMIW) * and a (copyrighted) artwork taken from one of my websites without my consent – contains blatant falsehoods and lies. Every statement in that post is based on hearsay and false assumptions. The only true statements are that my birth name is Tammo Geertsema, that I am an artist and a storyteller, and yes, I regularly share my stories and illustrations for everyone to read and see. NEVER for commercial reasons, by the way.

Here's what Michelle Christine Cameron "Crystal Semaganis" wrote regarding me:

Tammo Geertsema “Zhaawano Giizhik”
I was once FB with this one, and just assumed that because we had so many common friends, he must be Anishinaabe. Look at him, braids, storyteller, has several websites and lots of followers. Indian name, has to be legit.
Silly me, silly us.
Tammo Geertsema is Dutch (NO, I AM NOT DUTCH) from the Neterlands (NO, I AM NOT 'FROM' THE NETHERLANDS) and was raised in Houston, TX (NO, I WAS NOT RAISED THERE), and doesn’t have a drop of First Nations, Metis or Inuit blood in him (I ACTUALLY DO, OJIBWE FROM BAAWITING, THROUGH MY PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER). But he wants you to think he does. (TRUTH IS, THAT DESPITE MY PARTLY OJIBWE ANCESTRY, I NEVER CLAIMED OR EVEN SUGGESTED THAT I HAD A STATUS CARD OR WAS ENROLLED IN ANY TRIBE OR NATION.) He operates several pages, websites, and submits his posts to FNMI pages and groups across the Upper states and Canada. In fact, that’s how I came across him, he continually submitted his stories and Anishinaabe flavoured post to groups, that’s what he does.
His bogus white man Pretendian websites are: <zhaawanart.com> and <fisherstarcrerations.com> and he has a presence across all social media. He has been hired as Knowledge Keeper, Storyteller and Elder by orgs in both countries (THAT’S A BLATANT LIE. I WOULD NEVER, EVER HAVE ANYONE HIRE ME), and this proves that noone (SIC) checks on claims of FNMI identity.

Whoever has hired this man (NO ONE EVER HAS), you’re getting inauthentic “Anishinaabe” teachings from a Dutch man (AGAIN, I’M NOT DUTCH), and he was reported to the Ghost Warrior Society by his own biological family who do not approve of his actions among our people (ANOTHER BLATANT LIE. SHE MUST MISTAKE ME FOR BUFFY STE. MARIE? MY FAMILY WOULD NEVER DO THAT. MY FAMILY IS PROUD OF OJIBWE BLOOD RUNNING THROUGH OUR VEINS). We are grateful for allies and for everyone who submits documentation to stop the Grift of the Pretendian. STOP hiring this man and buying his art and products. Stop the grift. <<end>>

Initially, I thought, "Let her enjoy her antics; I couldn't care less. The post isn't even about me, as she doesn't know me personally, and I don't see myself in her exaggerated portrayal. It's merely a projection from a troubled, attention-seeking mind, and that's all there is to it. Moreover, I had already decided not to respond to their public attacks." However, my perspective quickly shifted when a friend informed me that searching "Tammo Geertsema" on Google brings up that Facebook post, including my image, at the top of the results. That hit me hard. I understand how the Internet functions. It means that my name will be associated with this woman's negativity and falsehoods for as long as the Internet exists, both during my lifetime and beyond. Regardless of how much time passes, my name will be tied to her and her distorted worldview. What makes it even worse is the feeling that my grandfather's and our family name are being tarnished by her, and I will never forgive her for that. I can no longer remain passive; watching that woman ruin anyone who crosses her toxic path is too exasperating.

So, I retaliated – and this is merely the start.

You want to be a true Indigenous person? You want to be a warrior who defends your Indigenous culture and values? You want to stop the cultural theft? You want your people to heal from the traumas and self-hate caused by the colonizers? Then stop thinking and talking like them. Step out of their polarizing mindset. 'Exposing' others or call them colonized does not make you more Indigenous or less colonized – on the contrary. It is just another hierarchical structure inherited from the colonizers, something that some Indigenous people seem to feel the need to create over and over again. You see, what these so-called Pretendian Hunters, these self-proclaimed guardians of 'pure' Native culture and identity actually do, is feed the Wiindigoo.

You see, the issue with these cyber-bullying "Pretendian Hunters" is that by permitting them to unleash their lateral violence without any conscience, compassion, or remorse upon the broader population of already frustrated Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, it will only lead to further division. This fosters a toxic environment that encourages many troubled individuals to join their cause and target those on their lists. 'Shaming and blaming' and 'joining the pack' have become popular activities these days.

Do you aspire to be a genuine Indigenous person? Do you want to be a warrior who protects your Indigenous culture and values? Do you wish to end cultural appropriation? Do you want your community to heal from the traumas and self-loathing inflicted by colonizers? Then stop adopting their way of thinking and speaking. Break free from their divisive mindset. Labeling others as colonized or trying to 'expose' them doesn't make you more Indigenous or less colonized—quite the opposite. It's merely another hierarchical structure passed down from the colonizers, something some Indigenous people seem compelled to recreate repeatedly. Understand that what these so-called Pretendian Hunters, these self-proclaimed protectors of "pure" Native culture and identity, are actually doing is feeding the Wiindigoo.

But enough is enough. Amii minik, mii-gwech! We will not tolerate this any longer. The moment has come to make our voices heard. We must cease feeding the Wiindigoo, or she will consume us all.

My grandfather, Tammo Geertsema, who lived through two world wars, was akin to  Gichi-misaabe. He was a just man who detested injustice and dishonesty and feared nothing. As a young adult and father, he bravely opposed the Wiindigoo of his era. This is the legacy he passed down to us. As a grandfather, he taught me the importance of humor and moral integrity. Now, as a grandfather myself, I intend to honor his name and example by proudly following in his footsteps. This means not only using my talents as an artist and storyteller to create beauty and preserve the old tales but also standing firm against any hatemongering 'Ghost Warriors' with significant mental health challenges. Mii i'iw.

PS: The Ghost Warrior Society's Pretendian list, which included photos of individuals, has been taken down following legal action by a Native woman from Canada who was also targeted by Michelle Christine Cameron. Nevertheless, Cameron's organization continues to exist.

*MMIW: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.