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Reflections of a Storyteller, part 8: Why We Must Tap Into Our Spirit Memory

  • Writer: zhaawano
    zhaawano
  • Jul 1
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 4

Baashkaabigonii-giizis (Blooming Moon) / Ode'imini-giizis (Strawberry Moon) - July 1, 2025


Midewaajimowin Painting by Zhaawano Giizhik

Boozhoo,


In my view, traditional knowledge holds great significance. This is why we should seek out the Elders who are still with us and possess this wisdom. However, many of us have no Elders to go to.


A wealth of knowledge resides in our DNA and hearts, and dreams can also teach us a great deal. This is known as manidoo-minjimendamowin: blood memory, or, literally, spirit memory. We all possess it, regardless of how diluted our Native heritage may have become over time or how distant we were raised from our ancestral lands.


I, too, am of mixed heritage and was raised far from my ancestral homelands. Thus, I learned to listen to manidoo-minjimendamowin. To inde', my heart. To bawaajiganan, dreams. Gichi-apiitendaagwadoon bawaajiganan: dreams are very important. Dreams have always been crucial for our ancestors in their pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Much of my storytelling is inspired by this.


Remember, you are never too old to learn.


Miigwech gibizindaw: Thank you for listening.




Illustration: Midewaajimowin ("Teaching Medicine Lodge Concepts") ©2025 Zhaawano Giizhik. A Midewigaan (Midewiwin Lodge) was painted in the background. It is a sacred place of healing & learning.


PRONUNCIATION DICTIONARY*


BAWAAJIGANAN: dreams. Pronounced "bah-WAAH-jih-gun-nun"

**Or: "pow-wah-che-gun-nun"***


BOOZHOO: a salutation, akin to the English "Hello!" Pronounced "boo-ZHOH"** or "POO-zhuh"****


GICHI-APIITENDAAGWADOON: (They are) important, highly respected. Pronounced "GIH-tshi-ah-pee-ten-DAAG-waht-oon"**

Or: Kit-che-uh-peet-tan-duh-kwhat-toon" ***


INDE': "My heart." Pronounced "in-DAY." ** Or: "In-TAY"***


MANIDOO-MINJIMENDAMOWIN: Spirit Memory. Pronounced "mah-nih-TOO-min-jih-men-DAH-moh-WIN"**

Or: "Ma-ni-too-min-gee-mayne-tum-moh-win"***


MIDEWAAJIMOWIN: Midewiwin teaching. Pronounced "mih-DAY-waah-jih-mo-WIN."**


MIIGWECH GIBIZINDAW: Thank you for listening. Pronounced "mee-GWETCH-gih-bih-zin-DOH" **

Or: "Mee-gwaytch-che-kee-pizz-zin-dah"***

Or: "Mee-GWETCH-kee-pizz-zin-dah"*****


*The words in this phonetic dictionary are spelled using the Fiero double vowel system.

** Pronunciation derived from the dialect spoken in Miskwaagamiiwi-zaaga'iganing (Red Lake Reservation, Minnesota)

***Pronunciation derived from the dialect spoken by the Mikinaakwajiw-ininiwag (Turtle Mountain Band of North Dakota)

**** Pronunciation derived from the dialect spoken in Odaawaa-Zaaga'iganiing (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin)

***** Pronunciation derived from the dialect spoken in Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation (Northwestern Ontario)





 
 
 

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